Zambia’s export growth receives boost, as non-traditional commodities witness rise to complement copper

Zambia’s export performance has received a significant boost from non-traditional exports, particularly in agriculture, sulphur, cane sugar, cement, and lime, according to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

Permanent Secretary for Trade, Lilian Bwalya, said that while the country’s export base was diversifying, copper remained the dominant export commodity, with key markets including Canada, Singapore, China, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

Bwalya’s remarks were delivered on her behalf by Director of Coordination and Delivery, Simmy Chapula, during a stakeholders’ consultation on the review of Zambia’s National Trade Policy (2018).

The event, held on Thursday at Protea Hotel in Lusaka, was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the FIRST Project.

“Zambia has continued to record overall trade growth for both imports and exports, with export performance supported by an increase in non-traditional exports, mainly agricultural products, sulphur, cane sugar, cement, and lime,” she said.

Bwalya noted that imports have also risen, driven by higher purchases of fuel, machinery, motor vehicles, and food from South Africa, China, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Tanzania.

She highlighted that Zambia had made progress in strengthening its trade and investment regime, improving the ease of doing business, and promoting regional integration.

However, she emphasized that the evolving domestic and global economic landscape required a comprehensive review of the country’s trade policy framework.

Domestically, Bwalya said, the government has implemented several key policies and legislative measures aimed at fostering sustainable, inclusive, and digital trade growth. These include:

The Border Management and Trade Facilitation Act No. 8 of 2025 which provides a legal framework for One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) and Coordinated Border Management.

The Border Development Strategy (2025–2029), designed to modernize and upgrade Zambia’s more than 40 ports of entry.

The National Electronic Commerce Strategy (2023–2027), which seeks to build a strong foundation for digital trade and promote digital entrepreneurship.

Bwalya added that while progress had been made, challenges remain—particularly the need to diversify exports beyond copper, enhance agricultural productivity, and increase the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in trade.

Earlier, FIRST Project Team Leader Nadira Bayat said the consultations focused on reviewing the National Trade Policy, while a follow-up session on Friday would address the National Export Strategy.

Bayat explained that the five-year project, implemented by Global Affairs Canada in partnership with international collaborators, aimed to make trade more inclusive.

“We want women, youth, and persons with disabilities to be active participants and leaders in shaping Africa’s new trade landscape.

“Inclusion is not just a matter of fairness—it is an economic imperative. Inclusive trade drives productivity, strengthens value chains, and ensures that growth is both sustainable and equitable,” he said.

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