• Trade between Zambia and Angola has remained extremely low.
• Exports to Angola from Zambia over the past five years have averaged around US$ 5 million only per annum.
• There is need to expedite consummation of Trade Agreements between Angola and Zambia.

Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has called for Partnership to increase Trade and Investment Volumes between Zambia and Angola through Enhanced Private Sector Participation.
Speaking during the Angola -Zambia Trade and Investment Webinar organized by ZDA, Agency Board Chairperson Bishop David Masupa lamented that despite agreements on market access at bilateral and continental levels, trade between the two countries has remained extremely low.
Bishop Masupa noted that exports to Angola from Zambia over the past five years have averaged around US$ 5 million only per annum, which is extremely low given the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$100 billion and 50 million consumers for both countries.
He revealed that using the Economic Recovery Plan and the N8 plus 1 Strategy, the Agency has lined up trade fairs, missions, expositions, buyer and seller meetings aimed at significantly increasing exports into Angola.
Bishop Masupa added that Angola and Zambia signed the Bilateral Trade Agreement in 2016 in order to foster deeper trade and investment ties through duty free market access on a reciprocal basis.
“Given the combined GDP of US$100 billion and 50 million consumers for both countries, this is extremely low. Let us together change this status by increasing the volume of trade and investment between our two countries through enhanced private sector participation.”
“Trade between Zambia and Angola lies at the heart of the economic development of both countries. Further, our two great countries are both members of the SADC and now Africa Continental Free Trade Area offering huge trade and investment opportunities,” Bishop Masupa noted.
And Speaking at the same event, ZDA Director General Mukula Makasa stressed the need to expedite consummation of the bilateral agreement between Angola and Zambia in order to foster trade and investment between the two countries.
Mr. Makasa explained that trade and investment is the most appropriate support for galvanising regional economic integration, reiterating the need for building on the comparative advantages of the two countries as a way of boosting trade and investment.
“There is need to deepen cross border trading between the two countries to foster our political, social and cultural bonds. To deepen trade and investment, let’s focus on building joint ventures between our private sectors,” Mr. Makasa said.
Meanwhile, AIPEX Chairperson of the Board of Directors António Henriques da Silva emphasized the importance of promoting collaborations between Zambian and Angolan businesses in exploiting business opportunities in both countries.
And in closing the business forum, Zambia’s Ambassador to Angola Lawrence Chalungumana appealed to the Angolan Business Community to invest in Zambia highlighting the many benefits for doing so.
Mr. Chalungumana also appealed to the private sector to explore trade and investment opportunities in Angola and Zambia.
“In order to catalyse trade and investment in the agricultural sector, the Zambian Embassy in Angola has plans underway to organize a visit to Zambia by the Angolan Agriculture Minister,” he disclosed.