The Second edition of Land Linked Zambia was officially opened by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Honourable Frank Museba Tayali, MP on 8th December, 2022 at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics headquarters in Lusaka.
The launch marks the start of the preparations for the upcoming momentous event which will be held from the 23rd to 24th of March 2023 at Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia under the theme ‘‘Leveraging on the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for the African Transport & Logistics Industry’’
The launch had in attendance the Permanent Secretaries from different Ministries, Senior Government Officials; Heads of Foreign Missions and their Representatives and Staff from the Diplomatic Corps, Transport & Logistics Stakeholders, and The Land-Linked Zambia Conference Organisers – Africast.
Addressing the delegates, Hon.Tayali, MP stated that the theme is a call to action for member countries to take major steps to boost regional trade and economic integration by actualising the gains of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “The gains of the AfCFTA are many and may include the elimination of tariffs on most goods, liberalise trade of key services, address non-tariff obstacles to intra-regional trade, and eventually create a continental single market with the free movement of labour and capital. The AfCFTA will establish a market of 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of US$2.5 trillion. Therefore, this could be an economic game changer for the continent and presents an immense opportunity to all of us”, explained the honorable Minister.
The first edition of Land-Linked Zambia, a Transport and Logistics Conference and Exhibition took place from 24th -25th February 2022 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), Lusaka, Zambia and was organised by Africast Zambia in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. The conference attracted about 400 registered delegates from 9 countries (Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). The visiting guest of honor was Mozambique Deputy Transport Minister Hon. Manuella Joaquin Rebello.
The 2023 theme seeks to unpack the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in the Transport and Logistics Industry among other key issues affecting the industry. a call to action for member countries to take major steps to boost regional trade and economic integration by actualising the gains of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The gains of the AfCFTA are many and may include the elimination of tariffs on most goods, liberalise trade of key services, address non-tariff obstacles to intra-regional trade, and eventually create a continental single market with the free movement of labour and capital. The AfCFTA will establish a market of 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of US$2.5 trillion. Therefore, this could be an economic game changer for the continent and presents an immense opportunity to all of us.
Honorable Tayali urged invited guests to consider it as a gateway to the many regional business opportunities that will be generated from the partnerships that will be created and continue to mature. Always bearing in mind that Africa is here to do business and Africa is the new frontier that remains eager to do business within and outside Africa.
He also urged local participants to take this opportunity to participate and sponsor this event. “The urgent need to improve transport connectivity in Africa has created new research demands and it is through such events as the Land-linked Conference that we can come up with solutions to the Transport and Logistical challenges and opportunities faced within Africa”, said the Minister.
The Zambia Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Registrar, Mr Nkandu, in his vote thanks, thanked Africast for the initiative and acknowledged the enabling environment for all players in the Transport and Logistics sector.
Land-Linked Zambia is an intermodal event, a private sector led initiative championed by Africast, hosting a large gathering of industry professionals, regional ports, transport & logistics, governments, mining and manufacturing industries, policy and decision makers, investors etc.
