The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has validated findings from the Country Scan conducted under the Enhancing Capacities of Young Women and Youth-Led Enterprises for Regional Trade (ECoWYERT) Project. The validation workshop, held in Lusaka, marked a key milestone in efforts to build a more inclusive and competitive trade ecosystem for young entrepreneurs in Zambia. Government officials, development partners and private sector stakeholders attended the session to review evidence and align priorities for implementation. The initiative reflects growing recognition that youth and women must play a central role in national and regional economic transformation. It also strengthens Zambia’s commitment to regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Opening the workshop, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary for Trade and Commerce Ms. Lillian Bwalya emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Zambia considers young people and women essential drivers of economic development. Speaking under the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema, she highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate youth and women into mainstream economic activity. She referenced the 2024 Gender Status Report, noting that Zambia has over 2.4 million male youths and more than 2.6 million female youths aged between 19 and 43. She also pointed out that a growing population, currently at a 3.5 percent annual rate, increases the urgency for inclusive economic planning. Her remarks underscored the importance of policies that respond to demographic realities while expanding opportunity.
Despite the strong potential of young entrepreneurs, the workshop highlighted several structural barriers that continue to limit participation in trade and enterprise development. These include restricted access to finance, weak business development support systems, limited digital inclusion and insufficient market information. Cross-border trade challenges also remain a major constraint for many small and medium enterprises led by women and youth. Ms. Bwalya stressed that these barriers must be addressed through targeted and practical interventions rather than broad policy statements alone. She noted that inclusive economic growth requires deliberate action that removes obstacles at every stage of enterprise development.
The Permanent Secretary commended UNDP and its partners, including the International Trade Centre, COMFWB, Trade Development Facility and the Better Than Cash Alliance, for supporting Zambia’s youth and women’s economic empowerment agenda. She described the ECoWYERT initiative as timely and closely aligned with the Government’s Connected and Aligned Initiative. She also pointed to opportunities emerging from the African Continental Free Trade Area, which opens access to a market valued at over 3 trillion US dollars and serving approximately 1.4 billion people. According to her, this creates significant potential for investment, industrialization, value addition and job creation across the continent. However, she emphasized that these opportunities can only be fully realized if structural gaps are addressed.
Ms. Bwalya further explained that sustainable growth depends on more than training alone. She highlighted the need for access to finance, markets, technology, networks and a supportive business environment. She stated that the Country Scan provides critical evidence to guide implementation and improve program design. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback to ensure the final report reflects the real conditions faced by entrepreneurs in Zambia. She reaffirmed Government’s commitment to working with development partners, financial institutions, the private sector and youth networks to strengthen inclusive trade systems.
Dr. James Wakiaga, United Nations Development Programme Resident Coordinator, also addressed the workshop and called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders. He stated that the ECoWYERT project is a five-year regional initiative implemented across Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project focuses on addressing key constraints such as limited access to finance, weak business skills, restricted market access and low digital inclusion. He emphasized that Africa’s long-term prosperity depends on unlocking the innovation and productivity of young people, particularly women who remain underrepresented in regional trade systems.
Dr. Wakiaga noted that while the African Continental Free Trade Area presents major opportunities, access alone is not enough to ensure inclusion. He stressed the need for targeted efforts that equip young entrepreneurs with skills, financing, networks and enabling policies. The ECoWYERT project aims to reach approximately 28,300 participants across six countries, with at least 70 percent being young women, particularly from rural communities. He described the Country Scan as a foundational tool that validates project design and identifies policy, institutional and market gaps. He also encouraged participants to contribute insights that strengthen implementation at national level.
The project is expected to create nearly 125,000 sustained jobs, making it a significant intervention in trade-led employment and resilience building. It is structured around three core pillars, including capacity building and market access, access to finance through grants and digital financial services, and ecosystem strengthening aligned with AfCFTA protocols on women and youth in trade and digital commerce. These pillars aim to build a more inclusive and competitive environment for emerging entrepreneurs across the region. The initiative also supports long-term structural transformation by linking skills development with real market opportunities.
The validation of the Country Scan represents a key step toward strengthening inclusive trade systems in Zambia and across the region. It reflects a shared commitment by Government and development partners to ensure that young women and youth-led enterprises are not left behind in economic growth. The collaboration between national institutions and international partners continues to shape a more coordinated approach to trade and entrepreneurship development. With sustained implementation, the ECoWYERT project is positioned to contribute significantly to job creation, economic empowerment and regional integration. The initiative reinforces a long-term vision of inclusive prosperity driven by innovation, participation and equal opportunity.