AfCFTA Offers Africa Alternative Market & New Value Chains: Zambian Trade Expert
15:05 10.09.2026 (Updated: 15:24 10.09.2026)
© telegram sputnik_africa
Subscribe
AfCFTA Offers Africa Alternative Market & New Value Chains: Zambian Trade Expert
"Ultimately, what the AfCFTA tries to do is just to present an alternative market from the structures that already exist," Barnabas Mwale told Sputnik Africa.
The agreement gives Zambia a chance to diversify beyond traditional export markets through regional value chains, he said. Rather than relying only on raw commodity exports, Zambia could collaborate with other African nations on processing, packaging and resale.
"We need to move away from the idea of trying to produce, extract commodities and add value on our own, but begin to look at opportunities in value, in developing virulence amongst ourselves as African countries."
Mwale also pointed to Zambia’s agricultural potential, noting that the country’s farm blocks could support agro-processing industries and produce goods for domestic, regional, and continental markets.
"There's need for continued investment with regards to energy because you cannot grow these sectors in the absence of energy. So, there's need for us to diversify from hydroelectric energy to other alternative sources of energy that will allow these sectors to thrive."
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
