Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 8th May, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
The launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Forum at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka marked a pivotal step towards harnessing digital trade as a catalyst for economic integration across the continent.
The high level event, attended by regional leaders and policy stakeholders, underscored a collective ambition to reshape Africa’s economic future through unity, innovation and strategic cooperation.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, in his keynote address, emphasized the imperative of transcending colonial era borders that continue to divide African communities. “Our common heritage is a foundation for our shared prosperity,” President Hichilema declared, highlighting the deep rooted ties between Zambia and Botswana as a microcosm of broader continental solidarity.
President Hichilema commended AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene and his team for spearheading efforts to digitalize trade, while also recognizing the contributions of ministers, diplomats and regional institutions in laying the groundwork for this transformative initiative. He called for an ecosystem that supports investment in digital infrastructure and platforms, stressing that sustainable digital trade must be built on solid economic reform.
Reflecting on Africa’s resilience in the face of historical adversity, President Hichilema urged leaders across public and private sectors to embrace a forward looking agenda. “The digital economy is not just an opportunity it is a necessity,” he asserted.
President Gideon Duma Boko of Botswana, in his remarks, echoed these sentiments while urging a results oriented approach. He emphasized that the success of AfCFTA must be measured by its tangible benefits for ordinary Africans, not by political milestones alone. “Let us put people at the center of this revolution,” he said.
Both leaders highlighted the critical role of collaboration among governments, industries and civil society as the engine of inclusive growth. Their shared message was clear: Africa must leverage digital trade not only to boost intra African commerce, but also to foster enduring unity and uplift its citizens.
The forum concluded with a renewed commitment to action, signaling a transformative era where digital trade serves as both a tool and a symbol of Africa’s collective progress.