By: Madalitso Mtonga,
Africa stands at a pivotal economic crossroads. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), The world ‘largest free trade agreement by number of participating countries, it is more than a trade pact; it is a blueprint for economic transformation. By bringing together 54 countries into a single market of over 1.3 billion people, with a combined GDP exceeding $3.4 trillion,AFCTA has the potential to redefine Africa’s economic future
Yet, the promise of AfCFTA will not be realized through signatures alone. Its success depends on how individual countries translate continental ambition into national strategy. For Zambia, this is not just an opportunity, it is a test of readiness.
At its core, AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade, which currently stands at only 15% of total African trade, significantly lower than Europe (around 70%) and Asia (over 50%). By reducing tariffs on 90% of goods and addressing non-tariff barriers, AfCFTA seeks to unlock industrialization, job creation, and value chain development across the continent.
For Zambia, a land-linked country strategically positioned in Southern Africa, the implications are profound.
While AfCFTA opens a market of over 1.3 billion people, Zambia’s gains will depend on how well it integrates infrastructure into a functioning trade system. Current investments such as dual carriageways and one-stop border posts are improving connectivity, but remain fragmented and insufficiently linked to production.
A practical model can be drawn from Rwanda's Isaka - Kigali standard gauge project . Through the project, Rwanda has effectively connected inland production to seaports in Tanzania and Kenya. By strengthening feeder roads from manufacturing zones to logistics hubs, Rwanda has reduced transit times, lowered freight costs, and improved export efficiency turning its landlocked position into a strategic advantage.
Zambia can adopt a similar approach by aligning feeder roads from agricultural and industrial zones to major corridors such as the Lobito Corridor. Investments in warehousing, and rail links must complement road infrastructure, ensuring seamless movement from production to export markets.The goal is not just to build infrastructure, but to connect it to trade systems. Under AfCFTA, competitiveness will depend not on access alone, but on how effectively that access is utilized.’.
Secondly, the African Development Bank noted,Zambia’s export structure which remains heavily concentrated on copper, accounting for over 70% of export earnings. This dependence limits resilience, exposes the economy to price shocks, and constrains job creation.
To truly benefit, Zambia must shift from exporting raw materials to trading value-added goods through deliberate policy reform.
Zambia can borrow lessons from Cote d'Ivoire's approach by formulating policies that incentivize investment in agro-processing and service-linked industries. This includes tax incentives and customs duty exemptions for value-added production, affordable financing for SMEs, and regulatory reforms that ease business operations within industrial zones, a strategy that now contributes over 14 percent to Cote D'Ivoire's GDP
AfCFTA is not merely a trade agreement, it is a catalyst for economic transformation. For Zambia, success will depend on deliberate investments in connected infrastructure, policies that promote industrialization and value addition, and strategic use of regional trade frameworks. If these priorities are pursued with urgency and consistency, Zambia can transform its land-linked geography into a competitive advantage, create sustainable jobs, and emerge as a regional trade and manufacturing hub. The time to prepare is not when the opportunities have passed, but now. Zambia has the foundations to build, the markets to trade, and the potential to lead.
About Author
Madalitso Mtonga, a policy reform colloquia mentor and participant. He writes this article in his personal capacity
DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this article are solely mine and do not represent any organisation with which I am affiliated. The views and opinions presented in this article or multimedia content are solely those of the author(s) and may not represent the opinions or stance of Amulufeblog.com.
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in this article are solely mine and do not represent any organisation with which I am affiliated.
The views and opinions presented in this article or multimedia content are solely those of the author(s) and may not represent the opinions or stance of Amulufeblog.com.