Additional Resources

African Development Bank (AfDB)

https://www.afdb.org/en https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations https://mapafrica.afdb.org/en/

The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

https://au-afcfta.org https://hub.au-afcfta.org/ https://au-afcfta.org/resources

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) and eight (8) Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to create a single market for the continent. The aim is to enable the free flow of goods and services across the continent and boost the trading position of Africa in the global market.

African Export-Import Bank

https://www.afreximbank.com https://www.afreximbank.com/products-services/ our-key-services/

To stimulate a consistent expansion, diversification and development of African trade, while operating as a first class, profit-oriented, socially responsible financial institution and a center of excellence in African trade matters.

African Union

https://au.int/ https://au.int/en/agenda2063/overview https://au.int/en/ettim

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).

Afrochampions Initiative

https://www.afrochampions.org/ https://www.afrochampions.org/ drivingafricafoward.php#section_trilliondollar https://www.afrochampions.org/boma.php

The AfroChampions Initiative is a public-private partnership designed to galvanize African resources and institutions to drive Africa's economic integration - notably through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). As a consequence, we support the emergence and success of African economic champions, which have a critical role in integrating African markets and accelerating the transformation of the continent and its global competitiveness.

Export-Import Bank of the United States (Exim)

https://www.exim.gov/ https://www.exim.gov/solutions#solutions

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the official export credit agency of the United States. EXIM is an independent Executive Branch agency with a mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services.

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

https://www.mbda.gov https://www.mbda.gov/mbda-programs/specialtycenters

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is the only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises.

Regional Economic Communities (REC)

https://au.int/en/organs/recs www.comesa.int www.sadc.int

The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are regional groupings of African states. The RECS are increasingly involved in coordinating AU Member States’ interests in wider areas such as peace and security, development and governance.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

www.sba.gov/sbdc https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find

SBDC Programs deliver professional, high quality, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. SBDCs provide problem-solving assistance to help small businesses access capital, develop and exchange new technologies, and improve business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales and other areas required for small business growth and expansion, management improvement, increased productivity and innovation.

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

https://www.dfc.gov/

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America’s development finance institution. DFC partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

https://www.sba.gov

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only goto resource and voice for small businesses.

Embassy of the Republic of ZambiaWashington, DC

www.zambiaembassy.org https://www.zambiaembassy.org/page/trade-andeconomy https://www.zambia.travel/

It should be noted that as a result of Zambia's business environment reforms, the country is now ranked 8th in Africa, 5th in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and 4th in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMASA) in terms of the ease of doing business.

Furthermore, Zambia is ranked the 8th most competitive country in Africa on the Global Competitiveness Index. Recently, Zambia was ranked 7th by Forbes as the best country for doing business among 54 African countries.

In the area of trade, Zambia recorded a positive trade balance of US$ 300.6 million in 2014, as well as an increase in non-traditional exports (NTEs) over the years from US$ 1,381.8million in 2010 to USD 3,550.3 million in 2013. Copper and cobalt are among Zambia's main exports while non-traditional exports include cotton, coffee, fresh flowers, burley tobacco, gemstones and maize (corn) among others.

Zambia is also eligible to export duty-free goods to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Act allows eligible countries from sub-Saharan Africa to export over 6,400 goods to the U.S.

The Vision 2030

The Zambian people aspirations and vision is to make the country a prosperous Middle Income Nation by 2030. It is in this regard that the Zambian Government came up with a national long term plan known as the Vision 2030 which long term development policy scenarios at different points for the next 20 years.

Independent Organizations

Black Business Association (BBA)

https://www.bbala.org

Founded in 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), headquartered in Los Angeles, the oldest active ethnic business organization in the state of California, has been committed to ensuring that African American and other diverse business owners benefit from our advocacy efforts to impact, improve and implement policy that improves access to contracting and procurement opportunities with the public and private sector, in addition to providing access to financial resources. The BBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Rainbow/PUSH Coalition (BBA)

https://www.rainbowpush.org jgomez@rainbowpush.org, 1-203-549-0395

Our mission is to protect, defend, and gain civil rights by leveling the economic and educational playing fields, and to promote peace and justice around the world.

Africa Business Association (ABA)

https://africabusinessassociation.org/ https://africabusinessassociation.org/dawn https://africabusinessassociation.org/travel-africa

The Africa Business Association (ABA) is an independent international business development organization. ABA is focused on working in collaboration with the Africa's Regional Economic Organizations, governments and other business support organizations to provide business outreach and training services for the African/Diaspora entrepreneur and business owner, improving the efficiency and capacity of the value chain within the African economy, and increasing cultural and economic knowledge of the continent of Africa.

Image credit: CIPE, tutwaconsulting.com, howafrica.com, Pinterest, afrochampions.org, archive.uneca.org, digestafrica.com, Grand Valley State University

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