Agriculture remains one of the most important pillars of Zambia’s economy. Across the country, small-scale and emerging farmers play a major role in producing food and supporting rural communities.

However, many farmers face the same challenge: they don’t have access to the necessary financing to invest in modern farming equipment.

Without mechanisation, farming operations often move more slowly. Preparing land takes longer, planting windows can be missed and farmers are forced to rely on manual labour or animal draft power. These limitations can negatively affect productivity and make it difficult for farmers to expand their operations.

Recognising this challenge, AgLeaseCo (Agricultural Leasing Company Zambia Limited), has stepped in as an important partner for farmers. The company focuses on helping farmers access agricultural machinery so they can modernise their farms and improve productivity.

Through AgLeaseCo’s flexible leasing solutions, farmers can acquire tractors and other essential machinery to modernise their operations.

Bridging the gap between farmers and finance

AgLeaseCo was established in 2017 and operates as a non-bank financial institution licensed by the Bank of Zambia. Its main goal is simple: to make agricultural mechanisation possible for farmers who struggle to obtain financing through traditional banks.

Many farmers in Zambia operate on a small or emerging scale. While they may be productive and hardworking, they often don’t have the collateral, credit history or formal financial records that banks require for loans.

AgLeaseCo addresses this challenge through a leasing model designed specifically for agriculture.

Instead of requiring extensive financial documentation, the company allows farmers to lease equipment through flexible agreements that fit the farming cycle. Farmers choose the machinery they need, pay a deposit and then repay the remaining amount over an agreed period – usually between two and five years.

This approach gives farmers access to equipment that would otherwise be out of reach, allowing them to farm more efficiently and expand their production.

Mechanising farms across Zambia

Since its establishment, AgLeaseCo has made significant progress in bringing mechanisation to farms across Zambia.

The company has already helped more than 1 300 small-scale and emerging farmers gain access to agricultural machinery. Through these efforts, nearly 38 000 hectares of farmland have been mechanised.

The benefits of mechanisation can be substantial. On farms where machinery is used, yields have been reported to increase by between 40% and 160%.

AgLeaseCo supports farmers across the entire agricultural value chain. Financing is available for equipment used in land preparation, planting, crop management, irrigation, harvesting and processing.

By supporting every stage of production – from the first ploughing to post-harvest processing mechanisation can help farmers improve efficiency and add more value to their crops.

Working with farmers on the ground

One of AgLeaseCo’s strengths is its strong presence within farming communities.

Field teams work in several provinces across Zambia, meeting farmers directly on their farms. As a result, they understand each farmer’s needs better and can recommend the right equipment and financing solutions.

The company also works closely with traditional leaders, agricultural organisations and equipment suppliers. This ensures that farmers receive not only machinery, but also the technical support and after-sales service needed to keep their equipment running.

Through partnerships with suppliers such as SARO, Agriwes, Growmore,Automotive and Tata Zambia, farmers are able to access a wide range of reliable machinery, such as tractors, implements, irrigation systems and agro-processing equipment.

By combining financing with strong supplier partnerships, AgLeaseCo ensures that farmers have both the tools and the support they need to succeed.

Creating opportunities for inclusive growth

AgLeaseCo’s work extends beyond individual farmers. The company is also focused on creating broader opportunities within Zambia’s agricultural sector.

It works with cooperatives, youth groups, women-led enterprises and agro-processing businesses to encourage wider participation in the agricultural economy.

Special initiatives have been introduced to support women farmers, many of whom still rely heavily on manual labour or animal draft power. By providing financing for smaller tractors and mechanisation equipment, these programmes help women increase productivity and grow their farming businesses.

At the same time, AgLeaseCo has expanded its financing to include equipment for agro-processing businesses. This supports local value addition and helps strengthen the entire agricultural value chain.

Building a stronger agricultural future

As Zambia continues to develop its agricultural sector, mechanisation will play a key role in long-term growth.

Access to modern equipment enables farmers to cultivate larger areas, work more efficiently and respond better to changing climate conditions and market demands.

Through its farmer-focused leasing model, AgLeaseCo is helping make this possible. By bridging the gap between farmers and finance, the company is enabling farmers across Zambia to modernise their operations and unlock greater productivity.

In doing so, AgLeaseCo isn’t just financing machinery – it’s helping to build a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector for the future.

Contact information

Head Office: DG Office Park, 31C Bishops Road, Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia
Phone: +260 765647864 / 0964 809 776 / 0964 712 668 / 0760 060 508
Email: info@agleaseco.com | chinso@agleaseco.com | sarah@agleaseco.com
Website: www.agleaseco.com

See video below for more: