On 8th of July, 2022, ZAM in collaboration with the USAID TradeHub, hosted the 2022 Zambia Exporters Awards at the AGM Gala. The Zambia Exporter Awards aims to promote exports by recognising and showcasing trailblazing exporters that have exported to South Africa and the USA in the year and also recognises export ready companies who intend to utilise the SADC and AGOA market. In the same vein, ZAM also hosted the ZAM Sector Awards to recognise and appreciate exemplary companies in the different subsectors that they belong. The sector awards are held annually during the Annual General Meeting Gala. The objective of the foregoing is to envision that as companies participate in the sector awards, they will be encouraged to apply for the ZAQA awards and ultimately represent the country in the regional awards.
With ZAM representing over 20 manufacturing subsectors, the awards covered the categories of food processing sector awards, Textiles, leather and wood sector, beverage sector, chemical, rubber and plastic sector, metallic and non-metallic mineral sector and the Small and Micro Enterprises (SME) Award. Manufacturing companies of various products were encouraged to nominate themselves and submissions were made to that effect.
The awards gala was graced by the Hon. Chipiko Mulenga Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry who commended ZAM for partnering with the USAID Tradehub for hosting the Zambia exporter’s awards for a second year running, which recognises trailblazing manufacturers exporting to South Africa and Agoa. Additionally, he thanked ZAM for hosting the inaugural zam sector awards which speak to value addition in different subsectors. He alluded to the fact that indeed, these efforts show the dedication that the association has towards the wellbeing of the manufacturing industry and its contribution to the growth of the Zambian economy.
About six companies won the 2022 Zambia Exporters Awards and these were: Outstanding Trade Performance – Zambia Sugar Plc (Overall winner); Most Progressive Exporter – Metal Fabricators of Zambia (ZAMEFA); Best Emerging Exporter – Moringa Initiative; Best Overall Exporter (AGOA) – Jewel of Africa; Greatest Collaborative Exporter (AGOA) – 260 Brands; Best Emerging Exporter (AGOA) – Kapenda Mabula Natural Products.
For the sector awards we had: Beverages Sector Award: Zambia Breweries and Coca-Cola; Agro-processing Sector Award – Seedco Zambia International and 260 Brands; Textiles, leather and Wood Sector Award – Nampak Zambia Limited and Queen of Chitenge Fashion; Chemicals, Rubber & Plastics Sector Awards – Trade Kings Group and Unified Chemicals Limited; Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals Sector Award – Dangote Industries Zambia Limited and Southern Africa Ferro Alloys; Small and Medium Enterprises – Lampstand Limited and Listed Company Award – British American Tobacco Company.
The event encouraged Manufacturers to participate in all regional and global markets. The minister also assured the manufactures they will be easy access to these markets. He further submitted that all agencies and intuitions will work hand in hand with MCTI to ensure that goods been produced locally are of international quality and can be exported across the Zambian Borders.
