Zambia Hosts Inaugural AFCFTA Digital Trade Forum, Championing Africa’s Digital Transformation

President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Hakainde Hichilema officiated at the opening of the inaugural African Continental Free Trade Area(AFCFTA) Digital Trade and Services Forum that ends on the 10th May 2025 and is taking place at the Mulungushi Conference Centre. AFCFTA aims to facilitate free trade of goods and services across the continent, boosting intra-Africa trade and Africa’s global trading position. The theme of this forum is “Boasting Digital Trade to Accelerate AFCFTA Implementation”. Present at this prestigious event was President of Botswana Mr. Duma Gideon Boko, His Excellency Mr. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Cabinet Ministers, Representatives of regional and International Organizations, Captains of Industry and Entrepreneurs and Innovators.

President Hakainde Hichilema said he was deeply honored to Co-Host the landmark event in close partnership with the AFCFTA Secretariat, a partnership symbolic of a new era of African solidarity, innovation and progress. He also extended his gratitude to President Duma Boko who despite his demanding schedule made it for the forum.

Africa now hosts the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries (54) that include eight Regional Economic Communities with a market share of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of US$ 3.4 trillion. Blessed with vast natural resources, Africa can no longer remain at the tail end of global prosperity. The continent is seizing a historic opportunity to drive inclusive growth through digital trade, particularly following the adoption of the AFCFTA protocol on digital trade. The forum is a call to action to implement practical measures that bring this vision to life.

Although rich in minerals, Africa is still confronting a series of inter-linked challenges including over 400 million Africans who remain offline, with internet penetration averaging 36% in sub –Saharan Africa, rising protectionism, instability, changes in Geo-politics and Intra-Africa trade is only 16%, due to fragmented infrastructure, customs bottlenecks and rigidity. Rigidity must come to an end. Today, we are here to talk about digital platforms that will allow our goods and services to move freely. There are laws that we need to address. He urged governments in Africa to dismantle rigidities and also collaborate with the private sector.

Africa’s digital future requires investment, Integration, and Innovation. Zambia is calling on all partners, governments, the private sector, development agencies, and the youth to align around a common agenda for building regional digital value chains. We cannot prosper if we do not trade among ourselves, we must dismantle the silos and barriers that limit Intra–African trade and digital value chains. This forum must chart a concrete roadmap to deliver Africa‘s digital trade vision, one that transforms today’s challenges into tomorrow’s shared prosperity. Digital platforms must assist us to trade with one another and governments in Africa have been urged to open up our continent and also set up a transaction team focusing on demand and supply points.