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Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to developing key trade corridors and regional infrastructure aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to deliver manufactured goods across Africa.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Third Luanda Summit on Financing Infrastructure and Development in Africa, Zambia’s Ambassador to Angola, Elias Munshya, said the country remains focused on strengthening transport and logistics systems to support its growing industrial base.
“Our priorities are clear — we must develop the corridors and infrastructure needed to deliver the goods that Zambia is manufacturing and intends to manufacture in the next few years,” Munshya stated.
He noted that Zambia’s message at the summit had been positively received by delegates, expressing optimism that the engagements would attract investments, partnerships, and funding to accelerate the nation’s infrastructure projects.
“The goal is to have the infrastructure in place to deliver the goods and services we are producing in Zambia to markets across Africa,” he added, highlighting that Zambia’s efforts align with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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Meanwhile, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Charles Milupi called on African nations to strengthen self-reliance and deepen intra-continental collaboration, urging the continent to take ownership of its development agenda.
“Without this, we shall continue talking about low levels of intra-African trade,” Mr Milupi said. “Other continents like America and Europe are becoming increasingly inward-looking, protecting their interests. Africa must now realise that nobody will look after it — we have to look after ourselves.”
Milupi emphasised that Africa’s vast population of over 1.3 billion people, coupled with its abundant natural resources, positioned the continent to meet most of its own needs.
“In Zambia, we have embarked on a programme to open up our country. We call ourselves land-linked rather than landlocked, because we are determined to use our central location to connect the region,” he explained.
He expressed optimism that as Africa strengthened its economic base, more opportunities would emerge within the continent, reducing the need for Africans to seek livelihoods abroad.
Delegates at the summit commended Zambia’s proactive stance and clear infrastructure vision, noting that it aligned with broader regional efforts to deepen cross-border trade and advance economic integration.
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