Lusaka, Oct 12 (IANS): Zambia will host the India-Southern Africa Regional Conclave Summit aimed at bolstering economic ties between India and Africa, a senior government official said on Friday.

According to Christopher Yaluma, minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the two-day summit starting on Monday has attracted 221 companies who have already confirmed participation.

He told reporters at a press briefing that the summit will help Zambia acquire knowledge on how big economies like India manage to grow.

He said Zambian President Edgar Lungu will officially open the summit where Zambia will play host on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), he said.

He underscored that India held similar meetings in Uganda in 2017, with Nigeria having done the same in 2018.

According to Yaluma, Zambia stands to benefit immensely through learning from India.

He has since urged both the public and private sectors to participate in the summit which has potential to sharpen the country's economic trajectory.