• African Continental Free Trade Area is important for economic growth of individual countries.
• Zambia is committed to enhancing intra- Africa trade.
• Zambia is looking forward to opportunities that will come from a single market for goods and services.

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on African countries to ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is meaningful to every citizen on the continent.

Addressing delegates at the 2021 Intra – African Trade Fair in Durban, South Africa, President Hichilema said the African Continental Free Trade Area is an important tool for economic growth of individual countries through trade and investments.

The Head of State also said Zambia is looking forward to the opportunities that will come from a single market for goods and services aimed at enhancing trade and investments for the mutual benefit of countries.

“We must ensure that the African Free Trade Area is meaningful to all our people across Africa, meaningful for inclusive economic growth, jobs, and business opportunities in our individual countries because if we do not achieve that it will be difficult to sustain a free trade area,” President Hichilema said.

He added that Zambia is committed to enhancing intra- Africa trade as evidenced by the presence of government leaders and the business community at the event.

The Head of State further stated that trade is an important tool for economic growth in individual countries as a pre-requisite for development.

And President Hichilema stressed the need for African countries to work together in order to move from poverty and instability, to investment, trade and stability.

He observed that there is enormous potential for trade and investment among Africa nations before thinking of bringing on board other continents.

“It is important that we see the value of working together as a continent, as a people, as businesses. Our countries are endowed with natural resources which can be used to create sustainable regional value chains to grow our economies.”

“The African narrative must move poverty, instability and aid to investments, trade and indeed stability. With stability we can focus our limited resources towards trade and investments,” he stated.

A number of Zambian businesses are participating at the continental trade fair which is held every two years, and the event is Africa’s largest trade show that provides a platform for sharing trade, investment and market opportunities.

This year’s theme will focus on the newly-launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a single market for goods and services across 55 countries, aimed at boosting trade and investment.

President Hichilema is accompanied by Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba and other senior government official.