Youth and trade: World Export Development Forum set for 11-12 Sept in Zambia

African youth will take centre stage at the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) 2018, taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, from 11-12 September. The forum is an opportunity for business leaders, policymakers and youth from around the world to explore a range of trade-related issues, including agribusiness, investment and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Under the theme “Scaling Up through Trade,” this year’s annual flagship event of the International Trade Centre (ITC) will be hosted by the Zambian government through its Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

The WEDF 2018 will kick off with an African Union and ITC interactive Youth UnConference, where young people can have informal discussions on a borderless world. The perspectives of young entrepreneurs from eight African countries will be highlighted at this event. 

There will also be a young entrepreneurs’ pitch competition, featuring seven candidates from across the African continent.

The WEDF meetings will bring together farmers, manufacturers, exporters, importers, wholesalers, retailers and investors interested in selling, buying or investing in select agricultural products and technologies. Business-to-business meetings in agribusiness—from crops to oilseeds, prepared foods, honey, agricultural machinery, packaging and more—are expected.

The launch of the Zambia chapter of SheTrades and an ‘in conversation’ with an inspirational woman leader will focus attention on women’s economic empowerment. The SheTrades initiative provides women entrepreneurs around the world with a unique network and platform to connect to markets.

Another event will address issues in packaging and participants are expected from the Food and Agriculture Organization and IMA Group, an Italian packaging machinery manufacturer.

Participants will also explore online training opportunities with the ITC SME Trade Academy,  which offers a range of online courses.

In addition, a China-Zambia investment meeting under the auspices of the Partnership for Investment and Growth in Africa (PIGA) initiative will hold. PIGA comprises the government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland’s Department for International Development, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the China-Africa Development Fund and the ITC. 

With the global population forecast to reach 9.8 billion people by 2050 due largely to population growth in Africa, the African Union (AU) places youth at the centre of its Agenda 2063—a strategic continental framework for the socioeconomic transformation of the continent.

The WEDF 18 aligns with the work of the AU, the private sector and policymakers who are working to ensure that young people gain relevant skills, start their own businesses and create quality jobs. 

You can register for business-to-business meetings here

Useful links 
World Export Development Forum: www.intracen.org/wedf
WEDF registration: wedf-registration.org