MADE IN ZAMBIA, READY FOR THE WORLD

Mupapa Wood Is Turning Local Resources Into World-Class Products Through Innovation, Craftsmanship and Sustainability

By Francis Maingaila TipsNews USA Zambian Correspondence♥️

Lusaka, Zambia — August 2, 2026 — For years, Zambia has been known mainly as a producer and exporter of raw materials, with finished products often coming from abroad.

A growing number of local businesses are now changing that narrative by adding value to Zambian resources and creating goods that can compete on the global market.

One company leading this shift is Mupapa Wood, a Zambian enterprise that has grown from a timber manufacturing business into an operation spanning quality furniture production, skills development, forest management and environmental protection.

The company’s journey reached a major milestone at the 98th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show, where it won First Prize for Small-Scale Industry — an achievement that has strengthened its confidence to pursue bigger opportunities at home and abroad.

Recognition That Confirms the Direction

For Mupapa Wood Founder and CEO Ruth Chande Ironside, the award reflects the company’s growth, hard work and commitment to quality.

“We are so excited. As the founder and CEO, I am excited because this award shows that the growth we are doing and what we are doing is the right thing. We are going the right way. We are moving forward,” Ironside said.

She said the win reflects the efforts of the entire team and confirms the company is on the right path.

“We wouldn’t be winning awards if we are not doing anything. The judges came through, saw what we had to offer, heard what we had to say and saw how we have moved from when we started to where we are now.”

Ironside said the recognition shows Mupapa Wood is ready for wider markets.

“It shows the world now that we are ready for business. We are ready for trade outside the country and within the country. We are taking that leap from where we are now to the next big step forward.”

From Small Business to Global Ambition

Ironside said the company’s long-term vision is to establish itself as a recognised Zambian brand internationally.

“The end game is to get our products on the world market. Mupapa Wood is growing, we are being recognised and we are going places.”

That growth is already visible in the company’s expansion plans, including a new store at Phoenix Lifestyle Centre in Leopards Hill, set to open on October 1.

“It shows growth. It shows that what we are doing is working,” Ironside said, adding that the company’s success has come from a willingness to pursue bigger goals and keep improving.

“Whatever we have tried to do and succeeded in gives us more encouragement to do the next best thing and do better than where we are.”

Breaking New Ground in Forestry

Mupapa Wood’s ambitions extend beyond furniture production into forestry and sustainable resource management.

Ironside said the company made history as the first Zambian company granted a forest concession to operate for 35 years. “That has never been done in Zambia,” she said.

The company is also pursuing internationally recognised certifications, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and European standards.

“We are pushing standards, quality, excellence, service, everything,” Ironside said.

A Supportive Business Environment

Ironside credited government policy for helping create room for the company to grow.

“I must thank the Government because all the policies and the push for economic growth that they are promoting are working for some of us,” she said, adding that government institutions have responded positively when the company has raised challenges.

She also acknowledged the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) for its role in supporting the company’s growth.

A Message to Zambia’s SMEs

Having grown from a small enterprise into an award-winning company, Ironside encouraged other small and medium enterprises to look beyond their current circumstances.

“SMEs should not just look around them. They should look beyond their boundaries and see where they can end up,” she said.

She urged businesses to take pride in being Zambian.

“Let’s be proud of who we are, for being Zambian, for being a small entity. Let’s be proud of the things we do and be proud of our raw materials,” she said, adding that being small should not be seen as a limitation.

“The world is open. Our quality work is exceptional. This is what is getting us to where we are.”

She said Zambian businesses should draw confidence from others’ success.

“If they can do it, I can do a bit of what they do. If I can get 10 percent of what they are doing, then I am moving in the right direction.”

Training Skills, Building Futures

Skills development remains central to Mupapa Wood’s work. The company continues to recruit young people, including casual workers, and identify their interests and abilities.

“By the time they finish working with us after one year, they are fully fledged. They can set up their own businesses, get a job somewhere else and earn more money,” she said.

Quality That Sets Mupapa Wood Apart

Project Coordinator Carolyn Mukuka said the Small-Scale Industry Award was earned through years of dedication, consistency and a passion for producing high-quality furniture.

She said judges were impressed by the company’s workmanship, and that while many businesses operate in the carpentry industry, Mupapa Wood has distinguished itself through its finishing and attention to detail.

“Our furniture is unique and unmatched in quality,” she said.

Mukuka added that the award has strengthened the company’s belief that its products meet export-market standards and has motivated the team to keep producing world-class furniture while expanding beyond Zambia.

“We truly deserved this award because of the hard work we have invested in producing quality furniture that stands out.”

Beyond Timber: Embracing Sustainability

Taonga Kamanga of the Mupapa Wood Initiative said the company’s growth rests on combining quality production with environmental responsibility.

Now six to seven years old, Mupapa Wood started as a timber manufacturer before expanding into forest management and conservation.

“It started as a manufacturing company producing timber products, but currently it is expanding its operations into forest management and environmental protection,” Kamanga said.

He said the company’s approach goes beyond production, aiming to build a sustainable business model that benefits communities while protecting the environment.

“We are looking at a future where our clients are satisfied with quality work … we expect homes in Lusaka and across the country to be transformed by our timber products,” he said.

Production Supervisor Given Munthali, who joined the company in 2018, said his own journey shows the value of commitment and passion, and encouraged young people to take opportunities seriously. “If you want to move forward, you need to have an interest in what you are doing,” he said.

More Than an Award

For Mupapa Wood, the Small-Scale Industry Award represents years of investment in quality production, skills development and sustainability — and a belief that Zambian businesses can create products that compete beyond their borders. As the company expands and pursues international standards, it says it remains focused on carrying the potential of Zambia’s manufacturing sector to the world.