The Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR) says Government needs to accelerate the industrialisation agenda in readiness for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
The Institute has noted that government should also improve the business environment in order to make local firms more competitive and ready for the ensuing competition from the AfCFTA.
In a ZIPAR quarterly report obtained by Money FM News, ZIPAR Research Fellow II – Trade and Investment Mulima Mubanga says for producers, this will facilitate cheaper importation of inputs in the production process and also spur innovation owing to entry of competition.
Ms Mubanga therefore, says free trade offers great benefits for Zambia to diversify and grow the economy, creating jobs and raising incomes.
She says in addition to opportunities for the export of Zambia’s products to new markets, the AfCFTA will allow for importation of consumables and inputs for industry from countries outside COMESA/ SADC into Zambia.
“Importation of products will be beneficial to consumers in Zambia as it will lead to increased competition resulting in better quality products at a lower price for end consumers. This will also provide consumers with a greater variety of goods, as they will gain access to products from different countries. For producers, this will facilitate cheaper importation of inputs in the production process and also spur innovation owing to entry of competition,” she said.
“Therefore, the Government needs to accelerate the industrialisation agenda and also improve the business environment in order to make local firms more competitive and ready for the ensuing competition from the AfCFTA. Free trade offers great benefits for Zambia to diversify and grow the economy, creating jobs and raising incomes.”
She said in order to realize the potential gains, Zambia has to go beyond workers in the Gulf suffer.
“Some members of the public have also expressed concerns about the low skill requirement of the jobs on offer while others think that the Government should focus on creating employment at home instead of sending young Zambians abroad. Nonetheless, the Minister of Finance maintains that the Gulf presents an opportunity for the Government to create employment for Zambians who can go and make an honest living,” she added.

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