Zambia is scheduled to host the first ever, Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Heads of State and government digital forum under the auspices of the AfCFTA Secretariat.
The digital forum is targeted at discussing the digital trade protocol which was established to harmonise rules and common principles to enable and support digital trade across Africa.
The forum is also focusing on promoting intra-African digital trade, enhancing cooperation on digital matters among State Parties.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoko Mulenga, explained that the protocol which was adopted in February during the Africa Union Heads of State summit, is also targeted at expanding the trade markets for African countries to embrace other markets outside their traditional trade partners.
Mr Mulenga noted that due to the enormous benefits that the protocol will provide, the Zambian government is ready to host the forum and support its implementation process for the benefit of the Zambian traders.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said this in Lusaka today, during a meeting on Zambia hosting the AfCFTA digital trade forum.
He explained that the effective implementation of the digital trade forum will go a long way in helping all the countries within the region to tap into the opportunities of having an expanded market which is focused on promoting intra-African trade.
Mr Mulenga added that the forum is also expected to address the regulatory and rules of origin challenges thereby easing the cost of doing business, which will result in a more inclusive trade among countries.
“We are excited as the Zambian government to host this first ever, digital trade forum, this is an opportunity for the business people in the country to take advantage, because this forum has many benefits that we can tap in to, and it will also easy the cost of doing business and promote fast and reduce on the complications that come with cross border trade,” he stated.
Mr Mulenga further called upon Zambian innovators to use the forum and establish more digital linkages if the country is to participate favorably on the market, adding that the government is prepared to offer a ready market for locally produced digital equipment.
“We will host this digital forum, but what is it that this country manufactures for the digital space that we can showcase and trade competitively with other countries. This is a challenge to the Private Sector and the Civil Society Organisations, let’s enhance our inventions,” he emphasised.
Earlier, Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati, said the World has become interconnected and digitalised which has helped in transforming the way of doing business by breaking down barriers to trade hence opening up more avenues for commerce and innovation.
Mr Mutati pointed out that Zambia is putting in place measures in strategic areas like building digital infrastructure across the country, facilitating E-commerce and creating an enabling environment through policy reviews and strategic plans.
“For Zambia to fully embrace digital trade, we need to make sure that the enabling fundamentals are in place, it is for this reason that the government through the Ministry of Technology and Science is driving initiatives to leverage ICT, Science and innovations for the country’s economic growth.
Mr Mutati said this in a speech read for him by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Technology and Science, Brilliant Habeenzu.
And the Digital Trade Expert at the AfCFTA Secretariat, Tallmore Chidede, said the protocol on digital trade has 48 service offers and 22 have been adopted by the AU Assembly including Zambia.
Dr Chidede explained that however, negotiations for the remaining service offers are expected to be concluded by July 2024 and be submitted to the Mid-Year Coordination summit.
International Trade Centre, Digital Moonshot Lead in Zambia, Dan Chileshe pledged his organisations continued support to help Zambia enhance trade and commerce sectors such as the implementation of business-friendly policies to strengthen the country’s participation in regional and global markets.
