Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) today joins the rest of the African continent in
celebrating this year’s Africa Day under the theme ‘Accelerating the implementation of the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’. The theme is a timely one as it underscores
the urgency and significance of our efforts as Africans to fully harness the transformative power
of the AfCFTA. By promoting trade liberalization, market integration, and economic diversification,
Africa aims to create a vibrant and resilient economy that uplifts the lives of every one of its
citizens.
Africa stands at a pivotal juncture in its history, as we embark on an unprecedented journey
towards economic integration and regional cooperation. The AfCFTA, which came into force in
March 2018, has provided us with good opportunities to unlock the immense potential of our
diverse and resource-rich continent. It has already set in motion a wave of positive change,
facilitating the movement of goods, services, and investments across African borders. By uniting
our markets and encouraging intra-African trade, we have begun to unleash the immense
potential of Africa’s human capital, natural resources, and innovative industries.
Zambia signed the AfCFTA agreement on 10th February 2019, and ratified it on 4
th February 2021.
Because of the agreement, we have an array of opportunities as a country, such as expanded
market access to other African countries, participation in regional value chains and intra-African
trade integration, among other benefits.
Yet despite these positive strides that have occurred as a result of the AfCFTA, there remains
several challenges that could thwart the effectiveness of this treaty in promoting free trade and
economic development. Corruption is one of those challenges.
Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index shows Africa as the worst performing
region in the world when it comes to corruption in the public sector. TI-Z is concerned that the
current version of the AfCFTA does not address corruption in a direct and decisive manner. We
note that the treaty does include a section on transparency (Part IV), which mandates each state
party to publish or make publicly available through accessible mediums its laws, regulations,
procedures and administrative rulings of general application. However, there is no mention of how
to ensure that making laws publicly available is matched with fairness and integrity in how these
laws are enforced.
On the occasion of this year’s commemoration of Africa Freedom Day, TI-Z wishes to reiterate
the Economic Commission for Africa’s call that as we work towards effective implementation of
the AfCFTA, we must ensure that there is less transboundary corruption within Africa. It is our
considered view that this will enable African nations to protect and sustain the development gains
that we are making as a continent.
TI-Z therefore makes a fervent call to all African governments to work towards updating the
AfCFTA as soon as possible, in order to include measures that maintain integrity in customs and
trade practices, and that hold the countries directly accountable for addressing these issues.
We further call on African governments to remember that while the AfCFTA serves as a powerful
instrument to drive our continent’s socio-economic development, the benefits it offers will remain
under real threat if the corruption problem is not tackled in tandem with the implementation of the
treaty.
Therefore, as the continent forges ahead with strengthened regional partnerships, deepening
collaboration, and exchange of best practices in trade, TI-Z urges Africa’s leaders to accelerate
their efforts in fighting corruption in order for the full benefits of AfCFTA to be realized and to allow
the continent to be resilient and stand tall in the global trade arena.
TI-Z wishes Zambia and the continent as a whole a happy, reflective, insightful and corruption free Africa Freedom Day!
Maurice K. Nyambe (Mr.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
