Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, says low intra-trade among African countries is a source of concern.
Speaking when he officiated at the opening of a coffee processing plant in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba said the low intra-trade was partly due to lack of industrialization and product value addition capacity in many economies in Africa.
He took the opportunity to invite the company to Zambia to set up a coffee processing plant in Zambia.
Melange roasted coffee is one of the largest coffee and coffee powder distribution company through multiple local and international distribution channel.
He says the coming into effect of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area will accelerate the industrial and export capacity of countries as an immediate substitute to this trade imbalance.
“The farming sector was the largest employer in Africa and would help resolve the current youth unemployment crisis the Continent was facing if agro-processing and value addition investments were vigorously promoted and established” he said.
Mr. Mwamba notes that the African Continent has continued to export raw products with little or no value-addition while it imported processed and finished goods.
Latest figures indicate that intra-African exports is made up 18 percent of total exports, compared to 59 and 69 percent for intra-Asia and intra-Europe exports, respectively.