HH – We Must Do More to Increase Intra-African Trade

President Hakainde Hichilema has called for a concerted effort among African states to increase the amount of trade within the continent.

These words came as the President attended a plenary session of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – Digital Trade Forum in Lusaka on Thursday. He noted that that Africa is a large and growing market, and it must respond to growing geopolitical demands for sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Not only is Africa a significant market with over one billion consumers, it also has unique and world-beating natural endowments. The purpose of the forum was to explore how digitisation and technological innovation can facilitate the free movement of goods and resources throughout the continent to the benefit of all.

Speaking at the forum, President Hichilema detailed the need to build a common understanding across the continent about which countries are best placed to supply which commodities. This knowledge will help states across Africa pursue development strategies that have a mutual benefit.

President Hichilema’s sentiment was echoed by Duma Boko, the President of Botswana, who also attended the forum. He called for a “harmonisation of rules, of standards, and of principles that will facilitate trade amongst African countries and African people”.

Free trade amongst sovereign African states will inevitably play a crucial role in the continent’s development. Modern technologies make this more attainable than ever before.