Zambia is making history this week as it hosts the inaugural African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade and Services Forum, taking place from May 8 to 10, 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
The event, officially opened by President Hakainde Hichilema, brings together over 1,000 delegates from across Africa and beyond, including policymakers, digital innovators, and business leaders.
The forum, themed “Boosting Digital Trade to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation,” aims to amplify the role of digital trade in shaping Africa’s economic integration. Delegates are engaging 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.
Everness Nankala, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, stated, “This event aligns with Zambia’s National E-commerce Strategy and positions Lusaka as a growing hub for digital innovation and investment. 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, emphasized 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.”
The forum also features the AfCFTA Digital Innovation Challenge, an initiative aimed at empowering young African innovators to develop digital solutions that address cross-border trade barriers for MSMEs. Top finalists will present their pitches during the event, with winners receiving recognition, funding, mentorship, and access to finance opportunities.
This landmark event underscores Africa’s commitment to harnessing digital trade as a catalyst for economic growth and integration across the continent.
