Govt reaffirms commitment to inclusive trade under AfCFTA protocol

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth through the empowerment of women and youths.

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Acting Permanent Secretary , Angelina Mukuka, commended the private sector for supporting women and youth through incubation programmes and capacity-building initiatives.

The Ministry, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Cowater International, and the Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade (FIRST) Project, on Tuesday convened a high-level Policy Dialogue on the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka.

Adopted in 2024, the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade seeks to eliminate barriers hindering the full participation of women and young people in intra-African trade.

“The Ministry is currently reviewing its National Trade Policy and Export Strategy to better align with AfCFTA frameworks and ensure equitable access to regional and global markets,” Mukuka announced.

The FIRST Project, a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Cowater International, collaborates with governments, policymakers, trade associations, and the private sector to promote inclusive trade across Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mukuka said the Policy Dialogue marked a significant step toward realising the transformative potential of the AfCFTA for all Africans, ensuring that no one is left behind in the continent’s journey toward prosperity.

“This Dialogue underscores the government’s commitment to advancing the effective implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol and fostering trade that is inclusive, responsive, and transformative,” she said.

The Dialogue also highlighted Zambia’s national frameworks, including the Eighth National Development Plan, the 2023 National Gender Policy, and the 2024 National Youth Policy, all of which prioritise entrepreneurship, access to finance, and market inclusion for marginalised groups.

Discussions focused on four priority themes from the AfCFTA Protocol: gender-responsive and disability-inclusive trade facilitation, building export readiness and market intelligence, improving access to finance for marginalised groups, and enhancing productive capacity and market access.

FIRST Project Team Leader, Nadira Bayat, stressed the importance of inclusive trade policies.

“Our objective is clear: to identify and implement practical measures that dismantle the barriers facing women, youth, and persons with disabilities in cross-border trade,” she stated.

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