Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda says economic integration is a viable strategy that Africa needs to develop.
Mr. Chikwanda says markets for trade in Africa are small and therefore need to be widened.
He notes that this means the more the continent integrates, the better the prospects for development.
Mr. Chikwanda states that it is these economic integration programmes that are also so dear to Zambia and for which Zambia has been working hard towards for the African continent to achieve economic integration.
He however, notes that the continent is not moving very fast enough to achieve this goal.
Mr. Chikwanda was speaking this morning when United Nations Economic Commission for Africa under Secretary General and Executive Secretary Carlos Lopes called on him at his office.
He was flanked by Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda and Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe among other government officials.
And Mr. Lopes has observed that much as African is recording growth, it is not quality growth.
He has explained that this is because it is growth that is not creating jobs, not reducing poverty and social inequity.
Mr. Lopes says Africa needs to improve productivity in sectors such as agriculture as the continent continues to grow.