Zambian president calls for increased inter-regional cooperation

Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Thursday called for increased inter-regional collaboration for Africa to have a successful free trading arrangement.

Lungu said during a World Economic Forum panel discussion on "Fast-tracking Economic Unification" in Durban, South Africa, that a well-coordinated mechanism was required to ensure the success of the continent's free trading area arrangement.

While appreciating efforts made so far to ensure economic integration in Africa, the Zambian leader said more efforts were required to expedite further deepening of economic integration.

"The Continental Free Trade Area which we are aspiring for is an initiative aimed at integrating African markets and the initiative requires what I may call a well-coordinated mechanism to ensure that regional outcomes complement each other," he said.

The initiative, he said, will only succeed if countries enhance infrastructure development and regional trade.

The Zambian leader also stressed equality, warning that some countries may consider a "Brexit" approach if the benefits of the free continental arrangement were not shared equally.

Africa, he said, should draw lessons from Brexit to achieve and implement the Continental Free Trade Area.

He however said the initiative will make Africa an attractive investment destination and that all countries should support it.

The Continental Free Trade Area is meant to integrate the economic blocs on the continent. Endit