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The Zambian government has called on local businesses to embrace digital trade, highlighting its vast potential to drive economic growth in Zambia and across Africa.
Citing a 2020 report by the International Finance Corporation and Google, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, noted that Africa’s digital economy could be worth US$180 billion by 2025—equivalent to 5.2 percent of the continent’s GDP. By 2050, this figure is projected to rise to US$712 billion, or 8.5 percent of GDP.
Mulenga’s remarks were delivered in Lusaka on Wednesday by Commerce Permanent Secretary Crucivia Hachikumba during a Digital Forum stakeholders meeting at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
“Zambia stands to benefit immensely from active participation in the digital economy,” Mulenga said. “We can unlock greater efficiencies in supply chains, expand market reach for our businesses, and stimulate innovation and job creation, particularly among the youth.”
He urged collaboration between government and private sector players to ensure Zambian enterprises were well-positioned to take advantage of digital trade opportunities.
Mulenga also announced that Zambia would host the first-ever Digital Forum under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework from May 8 to 10, 2025.
“This forum represents a pivotal step towards implementation of the Protocol on Digital Trade, launched in February 2024,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that the Forum reflected a shared commitment among African nations to deepen digital integration and unlock new trade pathways, especially for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
He added that through the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, African countries were moving toward harmonized digital regulations, expanded e-commerce, and improved access to regional markets—free from traditional trade barriers.
Mulenga added that the event aligned with the recent launch of Zambia’s National E-Commerce Strategy, which he described as a springboard to accelerate the country’s digital trade agenda.
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