Zambian Firms Sign $24 Million Dollar Export Deals with DRC

Following a visit to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambian private firms have agreed to export deals with $24.5m USD.

Amongst others, the deals will primarily see mealie meal, day-old chicks, chicken, sausage, pork, and maize exported from small and medium size enterprises into the DRC.

The trade mission, set up by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), has resulted in $10.82m in contracted orders, with a further $13.7m as export leads remaining under discussion.

The director-general of the ZDA commented; “these results are further testimony that both large companies and small and medium enterprises can both earn foreign exchange and thereby significantly create jobs and wealth for the Zambian citizens.”

Albert Halwampa, acting director-general at the ZDA, noted his sense of validation in identifying the DRC as a leading market for non-traditional exports.

The Government of Zambia has already strengthened business ties with the DRC this year. In May the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the development of value chain in the electric battery sector, and in June they agreed to construct a joint hydropower plant. Targeting the growth of SMEs is viewed as vital to the development of Zambia into middle income status. To foster this growth Zambian businesses must make best use of the estimated market of 320 million people available to them through their regional neighbours and allies.

President Hichilema has expressed his pleasure at the news and encouraged others to follow suit.