Zambian Minister urges citizens to support ratification of AfCFTA for further benefits

Government of Zambia won’t ratify the recently signed Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement until further consultation is done with the citizens, says the country’s Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Christopher Yaluma. Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu recently signed the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement during the 32^nd Heads of States and Government Summit took place in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.

According to him, it will be after consultation with the people of Zambia that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement ratification proposal will be tabled in parliament and Cabinet as required by the law. As a result, the Minister has urged the people of Zambia to support the government’s decision to sign Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) framework to allow the country in joining the envisaged common market in Africa, as reported by Lusaka Times.

Christopher Yaluma opined that Zambia stands to benefit in Government will ensure that there is industrialisation and production of quality goods within the country. According to him, the people should support this measure as it would assist in removing the perception of Zambia being a dumping site of low standard goods.