The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Cowater International, and the Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade (FIRST) Project, convened a high-level Policy Dialogue on implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
Adopted in 2024, the AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade seeks to remove barriers limiting the participation of women and youth in intra-African trade. The FIRST Project, a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Cowater International, collaborates with governments, policymakers, trade associations, and the private sector to promote inclusive trade in Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Policy Dialogue brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to outline strategies for inclusive trade across Africa.
During the opening ceremony, Acting Permanent Secretary for Trade and Commerce Angelina Chanda Mukuka reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth through women and youth empowerment. She commended the private sector for supporting women and youth through incubation programs and capacity-building initiatives.
The Dialogue also highlighted Zambia’s national efforts to support marginalized groups. The Eighth National Development Plan, the 2023 National Gender Policy, and the 2024 National Youth Policy all prioritize entrepreneurship, access to finance, and market inclusion. The Ministry is reviewing its National Trade Policy and Export Strategy to align with AfCFTA frameworks and ensure equitable access to regional and global markets.
FIRST Project Team Leader Nadira Bayat emphasized the need for inclusive trade policies, stating, “Our objective is clear: to identify and implement practical measures that dismantle the barriers facing women, youth, and persons with disabilities in cross-border trade.”
The Dialogue focused on four priority themes from the AfCFTA Protocol: gender-responsive and disability-inclusive trade facilitation, building export readiness and market intelligence, access to finance for marginalized groups, and enhancing productive capacity and market access.
The Policy Dialogue represents a key step toward realizing the AfCFTA’s transformative potential for all Africans. It reinforces the commitment to inclusive, responsive, and transformative trade, ensuring that no group is left behind in the continent’s economic growth journey.