Why The Role Exists

The Sector Head – Agribusiness will provide strategic leadership in positioning Access Bank Zambia as the financial partner of choice for the agribusiness sector. The role drives growth by developing sector-specific strategies, building strong client relationships, and delivering innovative financial solutions that support Zambia’s agricultural transformation. The Sector Head ensures profitability, portfolio quality, and alignment with national food security and economic diversification goals. The role will report to Group Head Corporate Investment Banking.

What You Will Be Responsible For

Sector Strategy & Market Positioning

• Develop and execute a 5-year agribusiness growth strategy aligned with Access Bank Zambia’s corporate objectives.
• Position the bank as a leader in financing agriculture, agro-processing, and value chain development.
• Identify emerging opportunities in commercial farming, cooperatives, SMEs, and export-oriented agribusiness.
• Drive innovation in products tailored to seasonal cycles, commodity financing, and supply chain support.

Business Development & Growth

• Lead acquisition of new agribusiness clients, focusing on high-value accounts and strategic partnerships.
• Expand the bank’s footprint in rural and semi-urban markets through tailored outreach programs.
• Cross-sell treasury, trade finance, insurance, and digital banking solutions to agribusiness clients.
• Achieve annual revenue, deposit, and lending targets specific to the agribusiness portfolio.

Client Relationship Management

• Build long-term partnerships with agribusiness clients, industry associations, and cooperatives.
• Serve as the sector’s trusted advisor, providing financial insights and solutions to support growth.
• Ensure high client satisfaction through proactive engagement and tailored service delivery.

Credit & Risk Management

• Develop sector-specific risk frameworks for agriculture financing.
• Conduct in-depth credit analysis considering commodity cycles, weather risks, and supply chain dynamics.
• Monitor loan performance and ensure asset quality across the agribusiness portfolio.
• Collaborate with risk and compliance teams to maintain regulatory adherence.

Portfolio & Performance Management

• Manage and grow the agribusiness portfolio to maximize profitability and sustainability.
• Track KPIs such as revenue contribution, loan recovery rates, and client retention.
• Ensure balanced growth between large corporates, SMEs, and cooperatives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

• Represent Access Bank Zambia in national agricultural forums, government initiatives, and donor programs.
• Build partnerships with ministries, NGOs, and development finance institutions to expand sector financing.
• Advocate for policies that support agricultural finance, sustainability, and innovation.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor the agribusiness team, fostering a culture of performance and innovation.
• Build internal capacity through training on agricultural finance, risk management, and client engagement.
• Collaborate across departments (Treasury, SME, Retail, Digital) to deliver integrated solutions.

What You Need To Have (Skills & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agribusiness, Banking, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Advanced qualifications (MBA, CFA, ACCA, or agricultural finance certifications) preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in corporate banking, agribusiness finance, or related fields.
• Proven track record of managing large portfolios and achieving revenue targets.
• Strong knowledge of agricultural value chains, commodity markets, and risk management frameworks.
• Successful candidate will be required to provide verified academic qualifications by the Zambia Qualifications authority (ZAQA)

Key Competencies

• Strategic Vision: Ability to design and execute long-term sector strategies.
• Sector Expertise: Deep understanding of agribusiness financing models and value chains.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong credit and risk analysis skills.
• Business Acumen: Ability to identify and capitalize on agribusiness opportunities.
• Leadership: Strong team management and mentoring skills.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to build partnerships with government, NGOs, and industry players.
• Innovation: Capacity to develop new products tailored to agribusiness needs.

Performance Indicators

• Growth in agribusiness portfolio (assets, deposits, revenue).
• Achievement of profitability and risk-adjusted returns.
• Loan performance and asset quality.
• Client satisfaction and retention rates.
• Market share in agribusiness finance.
• Successful partnerships with government and development institutions.

• Develop and execute a 5-year agribusiness growth strategy aligned with Access Bank Zambia’s corporate objectives.
• Position the bank as a leader in financing agriculture, agro-processing, and value chain development.
• Identify emerging opportunities in commercial farming, cooperatives, SMEs, and export-oriented agribusiness.
• Drive innovation in products tailored to seasonal cycles, commodity financing, and supply chain support.
• Lead acquisition of new agribusiness clients, focusing on high-value accounts and strategic partnerships.
• Expand the bank’s footprint in rural and semi-urban markets through tailored outreach programs.
• Cross-sell treasury, trade finance, insurance, and digital banking solutions to agribusiness clients.
• Achieve annual revenue, deposit, and lending targets specific to the agribusiness portfolio.
• Build long-term partnerships with agribusiness clients, industry associations, and cooperatives.
• Serve as the sector’s trusted advisor, providing financial insights and solutions to support growth.
• Ensure high client satisfaction through proactive engagement and tailored service delivery.
• Develop sector-specific risk frameworks for agriculture financing.
• Conduct in-depth credit analysis considering commodity cycles, weather risks, and supply chain dynamics.
• Monitor loan performance and ensure asset quality across the agribusiness portfolio.
• Collaborate with risk and compliance teams to maintain regulatory adherence.
• Manage and grow the agribusiness portfolio to maximize profitability and sustainability.
• Track KPIs such as revenue contribution, loan recovery rates, and client retention.
• Ensure balanced growth between large corporates, SMEs, and cooperatives.
• Represent Access Bank Zambia in national agricultural forums, government initiatives, and donor programs.
• Build partnerships with ministries, NGOs, and development finance institutions to expand sector financing.
• Advocate for policies that support agricultural finance, sustainability, and innovation.
• Lead and mentor the agribusiness team, fostering a culture of performance and innovation.
• Build internal capacity through training on agricultural finance, risk management, and client engagement.
• Collaborate across departments (Treasury, SME, Retail, Digital) to deliver integrated solutions.

• Strategic Vision: Ability to design and execute long-term sector strategies.
• Sector Expertise: Deep understanding of agribusiness financing models and value chains.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong credit and risk analysis skills.
• Business Acumen: Ability to identify and capitalize on agribusiness opportunities.
• Leadership: Strong team management and mentoring skills.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to build partnerships with government, NGOs, and industry players.
• Innovation: Capacity to develop new products tailored to agribusiness needs.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agribusiness, Banking, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Advanced qualifications (MBA, CFA, ACCA, or agricultural finance certifications) preferred.
• Proven track record of managing large portfolios and achieving revenue targets.
• Strong knowledge of agricultural value chains, commodity markets, and risk management frameworks.
• Successful candidate will be required to provide verified academic qualifications by the Zambia Qualifications authority (ZAQA)