LUSAKA, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has been elected the first African nation to head the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) since it was founded, said the Zambian government in a statement on Tuesday.
Zambia's consumer watchdog, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), was elected chair of the ICPEN for 2018/2019 tenure during the body's annual conference held in Germany about two weeks ago, according to the statement released by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.
Kayula Siame, the permanent secretary in the ministry, said the move will have a positive impact on the nation's business and consumer confidence.
Kelvin Sampa, the executive director of the CCPC, said as the first African country to lead the global consumer body, Zambia would leverage its position in the regional blocs to grow the network and influence the participation of other African countries in the organization.
"The election will further instill confidence among African countries to take up a leadership role at international level and ensure that global consumers are adequately protected," said Sampa.
Currently, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia are the only African countries that are members of the global consumer body, said the statement, adding that Zambia has maintained a partnership status without voting rights for two years before officially joining in.
