ZACCI Urges Stronger Public-Private Partnerships to Drive Africa’s Industrial Agenda
The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has called for greater collaboration between governments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the private sector to accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic development across the African continent.
Speaking at the opening of the 13th African Union Multi-Stakeholder Experts Retreat and the 4th Africa SME Development Program Partnership Platform (ASMED 3P) currently taking place in Lusaka from May 12 to 16, 2025, ZACCI Chief Executive Officer Elvin Nasilele underscored the private sector’s pivotal role in advancing Africa’s industrial transformation agenda.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Business Council, Nasilele emphasized the need for a more strategic alignment of private sector initiatives with the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the SADC industrialization strategies.
“There is a need to align private sector initiatives to leverage opportunities that the AfCFTA avails,” he said. “Governments and RECs must structurally integrate the private sector into the policy formulation and implementation process. Doing so is vital to realizing Africa’s full industrial potential.”
Nasilele commended the African Union Commission (AUC) for its leadership in sustaining the momentum on the continent’s industrialization efforts and for its commitment to implementing outcomes from the 17th Extraordinary Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification.
He reiterated that private sector involvement should go beyond consultation. “The private sector must not just be consulted—it must be an active partner in shaping Africa’s industrial future,” Nasilele asserted.
The ZACCI CEO also reaffirmed the SADC Business Council’s readiness to partner with the African Union, RECs, and member states in building an industrialized, diversified, and resilient African economy.
He extended his gratitude to the Zambian Government and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat for convening the high-level meetings, which bring together policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders to deliberate on sustainable development strategies for Africa’s SMEs and broader economic agenda.
