Celebrating Sixty Years Of The Zambia International Trade Fair: A Chronicle Of Commerce And Leadership

Celebrating 60 Years of Zambia International Trade Fair

The Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) marked its 60th anniversary this year, celebrating six decades as Zambia's premier platform for trade, investment, and industrial growth. Since its transformation from the Northern Rhodesia Show into the Zambia International Trade Fair after independence, the event has evolved into a symbol of the country's economic progress and regional influence.

Over the years, every Zambian President has used the fair to champion national economic priorities, while distinguished Heads of State from across Africa have reinforced its importance as a hub for diplomacy and regional cooperation. The 60th edition, held under the theme "Bridging Markets, Building the Future," attracted participants from 22 countries and showcased innovations in agriculture, manufacturing, technology, renewable energy, and commerce.

Officially opened by Vice President Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, this year's fair highlighted Zambia's commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), investment promotion, and export-led industrialisation. With vibrant cultural displays, business forums, and international exhibitions, the diamond jubilee reaffirmed ZITF's enduring role as a catalyst for economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development.

The Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF) celebrated its diamond jubilee this year, a milestone that reflects not only six decades of commerce and industry but also the evolution of Zambia’s economic diplomacy. What began in 1956 as the Northern Rhodesia Show, was reborn after independence in 1964 as the “Zambia International Trade Fair’’, symbolizing the country’s determination to establish itself as a hub of trade and industrial growth. Held annually in Ndola, the fair has become the nation’s largest exhibition house, drawing participants from across Africa and beyond.

From the beginning, ZITF has been inseparable from Zambia’s leadership.

His Excellency Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, the founding father and first President of the Republic of Zambia, used the fair as a platform to promote self-reliance and industrialization, embedding it into the country’s post-independence identity. His successors carried the torch in different ways:

His Excellency Dr. Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba, the second President, emphasized liberalization and private sector growth.

His Excellency Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC, the third President, underscored the importance of governance and anti-corruption as foundations for trade confidence.

His Excellency Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, the fourth President, leveraged his diplomatic background to strengthen regional partnerships.

His Excellency Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, the fifth President, focused on infrastructure and industrial revival.

His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the sixth President, promoted diversification and resilience.

His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, the seventh and current President, has advanced innovation, AfCFTA integration, and investment inflows. Each president’s presence at the fair reinforced its role as a national stage for economic vision.

Equally significant has been the fair’s role in welcoming foreign dignitaries, turning Ndola into a meeting point of global trade and economic dialogue. In the Kaunda era, His Excellency Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania graced the fair in 1972, solidifying ties during the construction of the TAZARA railway, while His Excellency Samora Machel of Mozambique followed in 1985, emphasizing frontline state solidarity.

Under President Chiluba, His Excellency Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe attended in 1992, and His Excellency Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania in 1995, both underscoring the importance of regional commerce in a liberalizing economy. During President Mwanawasa’s tenure, His Excellency Festus Mogae of Botswana in 2004 and His Excellency Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi in 2007 strengthened agricultural and mining synergies.

President Banda continued the tradition with His Excellency Paul Kagame of Rwanda in 2009 and His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania in 2010, expanding Zambia’s reach into East Africa. President Sata, ever the nationalist, chose to officiate the fair himself in 2012, before inviting His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini in 2013.

President Lungu revived the rhythm of foreign guests, hosting His Excellency Peter Mutharika of Malawi in 2016, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana in 2018, and His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe in 2019.

Under President Hichilema, His Majesty King Mswati III returned in 2023, followed by His Excellency Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique in 2024, highlighting Zambia’s deepening energy and logistics partnerships.

The economic impact of the fair has been profound. Over the decades, ZITF has mirrored Zambia’s economic journey: from early industrialization drives to liberalization, diversification, and now a pivot toward innovation and renewable energy. The fair has showcased advances in agriculture, manufacturing, digital technologies, and energy, reflecting Zambia’s ambition to build a knowledge-based economy.

With trade surpluses, manufacturing contributing nearly 10% to GDP, and billions in investment inflows, ZITF has been both a mirror and a driver of Zambia’s economic resilience. It has provided a platform for small and medium enterprises to connect with international buyers, for local innovators to present new technologies, and for government agencies to demonstrate policy reforms in action.

Many Zambian businesses trace their first international contracts back to the fair, while regional partnerships forged in Ndola have grown into lasting economic alliances.

This year’s 60th anniversary festivities were particularly memorable. The fairgrounds were transformed into a vibrant showcase of Zambia’s cultural and economic diversity, with colorful parades, traditional dance troupes, and exhibitions that blended heritage with modern innovation.

Her Honour the Vice President, Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, officially opened the 60th Zambia International Trade Fair on behalf of His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia. Delivering the President’s speech, Dr. Nalumango captured the spirit of the occasion, emphasizing Zambia’s readiness to embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and calling on businesses to seize opportunities in renewable energy, digital commerce, and agro-processing. “The Zambia International Trade Fair is not just a marketplace,” she declared, “it is a bridge to the future, a place where ideas meet investment, and where Zambia positions itself as a leader in regional integration.” Her words resonated with the thousands of exhibitors and visitors, reinforcing the fair’s role as both a celebration and a catalyst for progress.

This year’s ZITF, held under the theme “Bridging Markets, Building the Future,” attracted participation from 22 countries, underscoring its growing significance as a platform for regional and international trade and investment.

Dr. Nalumango noted that the theme strongly resonates with the Government’s vision of building a diversified, industrialised, and export-oriented economy. She highlighted Zambia’s achievements, including a trade surplus recorded in May 2026, an all-time high manufacturing contribution of 9.4 per cent to GDP, and US$16.4 billion in investment inflows over the past five years.

She also underscored the expansion of market access, which now provides Zambian products with duty-free and quota-free access to more than 90 countries, enabling greater opportunities for trade, investment, and economic growth. The Vice President further stated that Zambia stands at a defining moment in its economic journey, with renewed investor confidence and growing interest in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, renewable energy, and technology.

International delegations added to the grandeur, with representatives from 22 countries showcasing products ranging from cutting-edge technology to traditional crafts. The fair’s theme was evident in every pavilion, as exhibitors demonstrated how trade can unite diverse economies.

Festivities included business-to-business networking sessions, investment forums, and cultural exchanges, ensuring that the jubilee was not only a commemoration of the past but also a launchpad for the future.

Sixty years on, the Zambia International Trade Fair stands as more than an exhibition. It is a chronicle of Zambia’s entrepreneurial spirit, a testament to its leadership, and a beacon of opportunity for businesses and nations alike. As it continues to evolve, the fair remains a proud symbol of Zambia’s place in the global marketplace and a reminder that trade is not just about goods, but about building bridges across borders and generations.

BY LUYANDO MOOYA