Zambia, Rwanda Strengthen Trade Ties Under AfCFTA Framework
The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) seeks to deepen collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and the Ministry of Trade and Commerce of Rwanda in areas of trade and investment.
ZDA Director General Albert Halwampa observed that the two countries have much to share, especially under the auspices of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with the digital space being enhanced.
Mr. Halwampa said this during a courtesy call by Rwanda’s Minister of Commerce and Trade, Prudence Sebahizi in Lusaka on Friday.
He said ZDA is also eager to learn from Rwanda with regard to trade and investment, given strides made in that space by that country.
“Leveraging on the MoU between ZDA and RDB, the two countries can plan a trade mission or business forum either in Rwanda or Zambia. ZDA is available to offer information to deepen the friendship that our two countries enjoy,” elaborated Mr. Halwampa.
He further highlighted Zambia’s investment opportunities in energy, mining, agriculture and tourism sectors.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Minister of Commerce and Trade, Prudence Sebahizi, said there are a lot of similarities between the work of ZDA and Rwanda Development Board, with similar backgrounds.
Mr. Sebahizi noted that with the resources that Africa has, through the AfCFTA platform, the continent should realise the need for regional value chains for its minerals.
“If Africa could be self-sustaining in terms of beneficiation and value addition to the minerals, industries would develop and start exporting finished products,” he noted.
Mr. Sebahizi added that agriculture is another important sector, as Africa is still a net importer of food, while the continent has enough resources to produce its food.
He called for Africa at large to cooperate on the agriculture value chain to make its countries self-sufficient with food.
The minister was accompanied by Emmanuel Bugingo, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Zambia.
He is in the country to participate in the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2025, which is being held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
