The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has announced that Zambian companies secured USD 30.1 million in business deals during a recent trade mission to Angola, boosting regional trade and entrepreneurship.
The mission, held from 24th to 26th July 2025 in Luanda on the sidelines of the 40th Luanda International Trade Fair (FILDA), brought together 20 Zambian companies from diverse sectors including manufacturing, agro-processing, agriculture, mining and construction.
Key trade agreements centered on the supply of cooking oil, cereals, honey, groundnuts, agricultural fertilizer and engineering equipment, as well as high-value service offerings such as mining consultancy to the Angolan market.
The mission also generated promising leads for strategic joint ventures between Zambian and Angolan firms, providing a clear pathway for long-term market penetration.
Driving Regional Growth Through Private Sector Collaboration
The trade mission’s primary goal was to forge new private-sector linkages between Zambia and Angola, expanding export opportunities and deepening bilateral economic ties. By facilitating pre-arranged B2B meetings, ZDA provided a platform for Zambian entrepreneurs to engage directly with Angolan business counterparts.
ZDA Head of Communications and Public Relations, Ms. Kwali Mfuni, emphasized the mission’s role in strengthening economic partnerships, stating:
“Strategically aligned with FILDA 2025, the mission provided a platform for Zambian companies to explore new trade opportunities, build regional partnerships, and unlock broader export potential across and beyond Angola.”
Infrastructure and Policy Support Key to Trade Expansion
The mission aligned with broader continental trade objectives, leveraging the Lobito Corridor a critical transport and logistics infrastructure linking Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic ports to enhance the speed, cost-effectiveness, and volume of trade. It also tapped into existing bilateral trade agreements to create a favorable environment for investment.
Supported by the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project and Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and backed on the Angolan side by AIPEX (Agency for Private Investment and Promotion of Exports of Angola), the initiative underscored the value of coordinated government and private sector action in driving cross-border commerce.
Catalyst for African Entrepreneurship
The success of the mission highlights the growing capacity of African entrepreneurs to tap into regional markets, scale operations, and attract investment. With USD30.1 million in confirmed deals and further opportunities under negotiation, the Luanda trade mission serves as a blueprint for how African nations can unlock intra-African trade potential under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As Zambian products from farm produce to engineering expertise make inroads into Angola, the mission stands as a testament to Africa’s ability to trade with itself, create jobs and keep value within the continent.
