United Nations and Partners Strengthen Digital Trade Capacity under AfCFTA
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), with the financial support of the Government of Japan, in collaboration with TradeMark Africa (TMA) and in partnership with Google and other partners, is launching a capacity-building initiative. This program aims to empower government stakeholders and private sector actors, including women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to effectively leverage digital technologies to participate in intra-African trade.
"The initiative comes at a pivotal moment in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest free trade area in the world in terms of membership, covering a market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion."
It also notes that despite the transformative potential of digital technologies, the continent faces structural challenges that limit businesses from fully benefiting from emerging trade opportunities. These include gaps in digital infrastructure, regulatory harmonization, digital skills, and access to finance.
"The recent adoption of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and its Annexes provides a continental framework for advancing inclusive digital transformation, promoting innovation, and reducing trade costs."
The capacity-building initiative is fully aligned with the Protocol’s objectives, aiming to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities required for its effective implementation. By equipping government and private sector stakeholders with practical knowledge of how digital tools and platforms can enhance regional value chains and expand market access, the initiative translates policy commitments into concrete, actionable outcomes across the continent.
- Focus areas include improving digital infrastructure, harmonizing regulatory frameworks, expanding digital skills, and enhancing access to finance.
- The program seeks to empower women-led MSMEs to participate more effectively in intra-African trade.
- Aligned with AfCFTA, the initiative aims to unlock opportunities across a continent-wide market.
"The recent adoption of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and its Annexes provides a continental blueprint for advancing inclusive digital transformation, fostering innovation, and reducing trade costs."
The initiative underscores the importance of inclusive digital transformation as a pathway to broader regional value chains and intensified intra-African trade, with particular emphasis on supporting women-led enterprises and public–private collaboration.
Author’s summary: The ECA-led capacity-building initiative, backed by Japan and partners, strengthens digital trade readiness for governments and women-led MSMEs under AfCFTA, addressing infrastructure, skills, and finance gaps to enable broader intra-African trade. 183 characters.
Авторское резюме: ECA возглавляет программу повышения цифровой торговли в рамках AfCFTA, поддержанную Японией и партнёрами, направленную на укрепление возможностей госструктур и женщин‑предпринимателей в регионе, устранение барьеров и расширение региональных цепочек поставок.