SMEs AT THE CENTRE OF ZAMBIA’S AfCFTA STRATEGY

Government, ZACCI and SADC push for stronger business capacity to unlock Africa’s single market opportunities

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24 (July 21, 2026) — Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been placed at the centre of Zambia’s strategy to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with government, the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat calling for increased private sector capacity building.

The stakeholders say empowering businesses with knowledge on trade agreements, export requirements and market access procedures will enable Zambian companies to compete effectively in regional and continental markets.

Officially opening an AfCFTA capacity-building workshop in Lusaka, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Lilian Bwalya said Zambia remains committed to preparing businesses to take advantage of opportunities created under the continental trade agreement.

Ms. Bwalya described AfCFTA as a transformative initiative that has created one of the world’s largest single markets, with potential to expand trade, promote industrialisation, attract investment and create employment opportunities across Africa.

She, however, said businesses can only benefit from the agreement if they fully understand its provisions, particularly the Rules of Origin, which determine whether products qualify for preferential market access.

Ms. Bwalya explained that many businesses fail to benefit from preferential trade arrangements because they do not meet required value-addition thresholds or lack knowledge of origin requirements applicable to their products.

She said exporters must understand the specific Rules of Origin for their goods to qualify for duty-free or preferential access to regional and continental markets.

The Permanent Secretary further urged businesses to familiarise themselves with commitments made by individual countries under AfCFTA, noting that African countries have not implemented the agreement at the same pace.

She said exporters should understand which countries have ratified the agreement, their tariff schedules and products eligible for preferential treatment before targeting specific markets.

Ms. Bwalya also encouraged the private sector to provide government with feedback on trade barriers affecting businesses at border posts, transport corridors and foreign markets.

She said such information would help government engage trading partners and address challenges affecting exporters.

Ms. Bwalya highlighted government’s continued investment in transport infrastructure, border efficiency and trade facilitation measures, including One-Stop Border Posts, aimed at reducing delays and lowering the cost of doing business.

She further encouraged SMEs to collaborate when seeking financing for productive equipment, saying businesses could jointly acquire modern processing machinery through cooperative proposals rather than operating individually.

The Permanent Secretary said government is also implementing targeted export development initiatives aimed at identifying challenges affecting specific products and markets to improve Zambia’s export performance.

She reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with the private sector, regional institutions and cooperating partners to strengthen AfCFTA implementation and unlock opportunities for economic growth and regional integration.

Meanwhile, SADC Secretariat Director for Industrial Development and Trade Dhunthaji Kassee said regional economic integration can only succeed if the private sector is fully involved in implementing trade agreements.

Mr. Kassee said SADC continues to support member states through consultative platforms that bring together governments and businesses to discuss trade challenges and develop practical solutions.

He said these engagements are critical in ensuring that the interests of member states are safeguarded while improving implementation of AfCFTA and other regional trade agreements.

Mr. Kassee observed that despite progress made under regional integration programmes, businesses continue to face obstacles, including non-tariff barriers, restrictive regulations and other measures that hinder the movement of goods and services across borders.

He said the workshop would help businesses understand AfCFTA provisions and position themselves to participate in regional value chains.

Mr. Kassee added that SADC remains committed to promoting industrialisation, economic diversification and improved market access by supporting SMEs through better infrastructure, skills development, access to finance and expanded regional market opportunities.

He said stronger integration would provide businesses with increased export opportunities, greater participation in regional value chains, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

Speaking during the workshop, ZACCI President Emmanuel Mumba said the training was designed to equip businesses with the knowledge required to access regional and continental markets.

Mr. Mumba said although AfCFTA presents enormous opportunities for business growth, many enterprises continue to struggle to access markets due to limited understanding of trade agreements and regulatory requirements.

He noted that businesses, particularly SMEs, require practical support to overcome barriers such as standards compliance, certification requirements and export procedures.

Mr. Mumba stressed that strengthening private sector capacity would increase Zambia’s exports, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of local businesses within Africa.

The AfCFTA seeks to create a single African market by reducing trade barriers and promoting the movement of goods, services and investments across the continent.