Lusaka, Zambia, 24 September 2026 (ECA) - Zambia has advanced the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by validating a Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods.
The Guide, based on a methodology developed by ECA, through its Africa Trade Policy Centre, will help businesses navigate trade procedures and access opportunities in the continental market. The Zambia AfCFTA Step-by-Step Guide was developed for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade of Zambia by ECA in collaboration with the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) with financial support from DANIDA and GIZ .
The validation workshop, held in Lusaka brought together Government institutions, private sector representatives, business associations, development partners and other stakeholders to review and validate the Guide before it is finalized
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Permanent Secretary (Trade and Commerce), Mrs Lillian S. Bwalya, Mr. Simmy Chapula, Director Coordination and Delivery, stated that the Government views the AfCFTA as an important instrument for advancing Zambia’s Vision 2030 aspiration of becoming a prosperous middle-income nation, with the Grow Zambia Agenda, anchored on the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1 Vision, providing impetus towards this aspiration through increased production, value addition and export, while building on the strategic direction of the Eighth National Development Plan as the country transitions towards the Ninth Development Plan.
Against this broader national development and the AfCFTA implementation framework, Mr. Chapula stated that the Step-by-Step Guide is intends to bridge the gap between trade policy and commercial transactions. He emphasised that the validation process should go beyond endorsing the guide and provide stakeholders with an opportunity to interrogate and enrich its contents to ensure that the final product is accurate and fit for purpose.
Meanwhile, Ms. Eunice G. Kamwendo, characterized the Guide as a “timely and practical tool” that converts the opportunities offered by the AfCFTA into clear, accessible, and actionable information for businesses, helping them navigate and capitalize on emerging regional trade opportunities.
Ms. Kamwendo stated that Zambia’s central location and connections to COMESA and SADC markets position it to strengthen its role as a regional trade, transit and logistics hub. She identified agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, mining and mineral beneficiation, livestock and fisheries as high-potential sectors, and emphasized the need for increased domestic processing, manufacturing and participation in higher-value chains.
She also reaffirmed ECA's commitment to supporting Zambia's efforts to leverage the AfCFTA as a catalyst for industrialisation, economic diversification, value addition, job creation and sustainable development.
ECA expressed its appreciation to the Government of Denmark, through DANIDA, for its financial support to the initiative, as well as to GIZ Zambia for its technical and financial contributions further commending the Government of Zambia, particularly the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, for its leadership and continued commitment to advancing AfCFTA implementation and expanding opportunities for Zambian businesses in the continental market.
Mr. Wisdom Chilwizhi Kaleng’a, Trade Policy Advisor at GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), who spoke on behalf of Dr. Barbara Rippel, the Head of GIZ Programme Support to AfCFTA, said the Guide will support the Grow Zambia Agenda by making trade procedures more accessible and enabling businesses to contribute to economic growth, job creation, and wealth expansion. Mr. Kaleng’a noted that an effective utilization of the Guide is premised on a resilient industrial policy and vibrant industry where quality goods emanate to foster intra-Africa trade.
He thanked ECA for inviting GIZ to jointly support the Zambian government and private sector through initiatives such as the AfCFTA Step-by-Step Guide for trading in goods. Mr. Kaleng’a reiterated GIZ’s commitment to development cooperation which would spur Zambia’s implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement.
ZACCI Vice President Ms. Josephine Makondo, described the Guide as a practical bridge between AfCFTA opportunities and businesses’ ability to use them. She encouraged regular updates and stronger links with the Zambia Trade Information Portal to ensure firms can access reliable, current information in one place.
She emphasised the need to focus on MSMEs and women-and youth-led businesses, which often struggle to understand Rules of Origin, documentation, customs procedures, standards, licences, certificates, and other regulatory requirements.
Mrs Makondo urged stakeholders to ensure the Guide clearly explains what businesses must do, where to obtain documentation, which institutions are involved, and how the different stages of the export process connect. She also called for the Guide to be regularly updated as trade procedures and requirements evolve.
Ms. Bineswaree Bolaky, ECA Economic Affairs Officer, ECA Sub-regional office for Southern Africa, presented the context and the objectives of the AfCFTA Step-by-Step Guides. She noted that the Step- by-Step guide, developed by ECA, intends to address information gaps faced by the private sector to trade under the AfCFTA as well as demystify complexity in trade procedures while reducing inconsistency in information provided by different agencies. So far ECA has supported the development of step-by-step guides in nine countries (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Namibia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia)
ECA consultant, Mr. Chiwama Musonda, emphasized that the Guide explains Rules of Origin, customs requirements, product standards and market access conditions. It is intended for established exporters, MSMEs, women- and youth-owned enterprises, cooperatives and small-scale cross-border traders. The Guide clearly outlines required documents, responsible institutions and each stage of the export process.
The validation process verified the regulatory, procedural, institutional, and documentary requirements, addressed information gaps, and ensured that the final Guide is clear, practical, and user-friendly. The ECA, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, GIZ, and the ZACCI expressed their appreciation to stakeholders and partners for their valuable contributions in transforming AfCFTA market opportunities into tangible benefits for Zambian businesses.
Issued by:
The Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa
UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
P.O. Box 30647, Lusaka, Zambia.
Media Contacts:
Ms. Lavender Degre
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Email: lavender.degre@un.org