Youth Entrepreneurs Association of Zambia Applauds Ministry and AfCFTA Secretariat for Successful Youth Symposium

The Youth Entrepreneurs Association of Zambia (YEAZ) extends its enthusiastic appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat, for orchestrating a highly successful inaugural Youth Symposium. Held in Lusaka, Zambia from August 21st to 23rd, 2023, the symposium has been a resounding success, paving the way for youth empowerment and engagement.

The Youth Symposium, a pivotal initiative aimed at empowering the next wave of entrepreneurs and business leaders, created a dynamic platform for young minds to connect, learn, and exchange insights on leveraging the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Featuring an array of sessions, workshops, and panel discussions, the symposium fostered rich knowledge sharing and networking among youth not only from Zambia but across the African continent.

YEAZ acknowledges the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the AfCFTA Secretariat for their commendable efforts in organizing an event that underscores Zambia’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic growth. The symposium’s central themes of entrepreneurship, innovation, and cross-border collaboration resonate profoundly with YEAZ’s mission to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem for young entrepreneurs within Zambia.

The triumph of this inaugural symposium serves as a testament to the potency of collaboration and a shared vision of nurturing a prosperous and sustainable Africa. YEAZ is delighted to have played a role in this momentous event and eagerly anticipates future collaborations and initiatives that elevate and empower the youth of Zambia.

In moving forward, YEAZ presents the following recommendations to the Ministry:

• Swift response to online applications from participants
• Enhanced awareness and education about policies to encourage broader participation
• Public call for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) exhibitors and an increase in their numbers
• A post-symposium action plan for continued progress assessment
• Ratification of the protocol on the free movement of people to promote smoother trade and movement of goods, contributing to increased intra-African trade

YEAZ emphasizes its unwavering dedication to the aforementioned points and is open to collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to expedite the implementation of the AfCFTA policy.