About the Media Sensitization and Validation meeting

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Economic Commission for Africa’s Office for Southern Africa (ECA-SA) and African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) are organizing a meeting to validate Zambia’s Strategy for the Implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement from 24 - 26 September 2019, at Radisson Blu in Lusaka, Zambia.

Objective

The overall objectives of the two-day workshop are to review the draft national AfCFTA strategy and implementation plan in terms of the content, the objectives, proposed actions and the implementation framework to address any gaps, correct any misrepresentations and align any inconsistencies and thereby provide recommendations to improve the national strategy and implementation framework. The workshop will also review the proposed Terms of Reference for the National AfCFTA Committee on the AfCFTA to ensure the terms provide a solid foundation for the required leadership in the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement in Zambia.

The validation meeting will be preceded by a one day capacity building and sensitization workshop for the media. The media is critical in helping all stakeholders, including the private sector, cross border traders, governments and vulnerable groups across Zambia and the general citizenry understand and appreciate the benefits and challenges associated with the AfCFTA implementation. 

The validation  meeting will be attended by representatives of the private sector, civil society, academia and associations of women in business and government institutions. The umbrella private sector business organizations to attend the meeting will, among others, include; Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zambia Association of Manufacturers, Grain Traders Association, Tobacco Producers Association, Cotton Growers/Ginners Association, Women Miners Association, Cross Border Traders Association, COMESA Business Council, and SADC Business Council. The Government will be represented by Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry  and representatives of parastatals and ministries and the Bank of Zambia.