Digital Technology, Key to Integrating Africa’s Economies into a Single Market.

Accra: Mr. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free-Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, emphasized the pivotal role of digital technology and inclusive value chains in integrating Africa's economies into a unified market. Speaking at the regional workshop supporting AfCFTA implementation in Accra, Mene highlighted the importance of overcoming obstacles such as non-tariff and technical barriers to trade across the continent.According to Ghana News Agency, the Secretary General noted that Africa's youthful population is increasingly connected through expanding digital and mobile access, presenting massive opportunities in the digital economy. He pointed out that the burgeoning e-commerce market, projected to reach 2.5 trillion by 2030, offers significant potential for women- and youth-led cross-border businesses.The workshop addressed these challenges by equipping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with practical insights to better navigate the trade environment. Mene stressed the necessity of investing in digital infrastructure and technology to accelerate AfCFTA's objectives, create self-employment opportunities for the youth, and boost intra-African trade.Mene also highlighted the AfCFTA protocol on digital trade, which lays the foundation for a regulatory and legal framework to enhance trade across Africa. This protocol complements others on investments, intellectual property, and competition policy, facilitating a cohesive approach to trade. By 2030, the AU Digital Transformation Strategy aims to unite Africa into a digital single market, thereby enhancing trade efficiency and inclusivity.Furthermore, he pointed out that these protocols are crucial for articulating a unified African stance in global trade negotiations, ensuring the continent's economic interests are safeguarded and promoted.Mrs. Madam Naa Densua Aryeetey, President of Ghana's Gender Subcommittee on Women in Cross-Border Trade, highlighted challenges such as access to finance and security as major limitat ions to intra-continental trade. She advocated for a supportive business regulatory environment to empower women to contribute effectively to AfCFTA.Mr. Mamadou Biteye, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), emphasized that bridging the intra-African market is essential for economic growth and opportunity creation. He called on African trade ministries to implement policies that support AfCFTA's efforts, enhance trade facilitation capacity, and foster an ecosystem conducive to innovation. He underscored that AfCFTA serves not only as a trade facilitation platform but also as a catalyst for transformative change across Africa.