Zambia to Host First-Ever AfCFTA Digital Trade and Services Forum
Zambia is set to make history as it hosts the inaugural African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade and Services Forum, scheduled from May 6th to 10th, 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Technology and Science, the event will be officially opened by President Hakainde Hichilema and is expected to draw more than 1,000 delegates from across Africa and beyond. Confirmed participating countries include Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Senegal.
Held under the theme “Boosting Digital Trade to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation,” the forum aims to amplify the role of digital trade in shaping Africa’s economic integration. Delegates will engage in knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and innovation showcases designed to unlock opportunities in e-commerce, fintech, digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurship.
The AfCFTA, a flagship African Union initiative, envisions a single continental market with a population of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion. As the largest free trade area globally, its implementation is expected to reshape Africa’s trade landscape.
“This event aligns with Zambia’s National E-commerce Strategy and positions Lusaka as a growing hub for digital innovation and investment,” said Everness Nankala, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. “It’s not just about digital trade—it’s about inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable development.”
Ilitongo Maboshe, her counterpart at the Ministry of Technology and Science, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the long-term impact of the forum: “We are building mechanisms to ensure that the outcomes of this forum are implemented and felt in the lives of ordinary Zambians.”
