Left: Mrs Lillian S. Bwalya, Zambia Permanent Secretary for Trade and Commerce, and (Right) Ms Hope Situmbeko, TMA’s Head of Southern Africa.

TradeMark Africa has taken a firm step southward as this week in Lusaka, it convened the second Zambia National Oversight Committee meeting, which is an inflection point as the organisation anchors its presence in Southern Africa and establishes its Lusaka office.

Chaired by Mrs Lillian S. Bwalya, Permanent Secretary for Trade and Commerce, and led by Ms Hope Situmbeko, TMA’s newly appointed Head of Southern Africa, the meeting drew senior government officials, business leaders and development partners to take stock of work under way at key trade nodes such as the Nakonde One Stop Border Post, and to align priorities with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

At Nakonde, a high-capacity cargo scanner able to process more than 100 trucks an hour is being installed; a new truck park and access roads are taking shape; smart gates are being fitted, and harmonisation of border processes and customs procedures with Tanzania are ongoing. The upgrades are on track for completion by year-end and target to contribute to the reduction of border crossing time by over half.

Mrs Bwalya was clear: “Our goal is to drive an agenda that tackles existing challenges and facilitates trade in goods and services.” Ms Situmbeko added, “We must work together to create a conducive trade environment, particularly in the context of the AfCFTA.”

The next phase of the Government of Zambia-TMA partnership will shift focus to competitiveness-raising standards, improving certification systems, and expanding access to trade information. The National Oversight Committee, one of TMA’s governance anchors, ensures that such programmes remain country-driven, efficiently delivered, and aligned with regional and continental priorities.