The
Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat,
Wamkele Mene has shed light on the transformative potential of the AfCFTA
Protocol on Digital Trade at the Africa Trade Development Forum 2024 underway
in Kigali, Rwanda. This legally binding instrument is set to create a unified
digital market across Africa, fostering economic growth, innovation, and
sustainable development.
Described
as a cornerstone for Africa’s digital transformation and industrialization, the
Protocol on Digital Trade encompasses robust commitments aimed at enhancing
digital public infrastructure and promoting inclusivity in trade. Key
priorities include empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and
underserved groups such as women and youth to actively participate in
intra-African trade.
The
Secretary-General highlighted that fragmented regulatory frameworks and digital
markets pose significant barriers to achieving Africa’s digital transformation
goals, adding that the Protocol on Digital Trade aims to address these
challenges by facilitating seamless, trusted, and secure cross-border data
flows. This, in turn, will not only drive innovation and digital inclusion but
also strengthen the competitiveness of African businesses, particularly MSMEs,
in the global marketplace.
Central
to the Protocol’s vision is the creation of an integrated and dynamic digital
ecosystem. By streamlining regulatory harmonization, the initiative seeks to
eliminate bottlenecks that hinder digital trade, ensuring that businesses
across the continent can operate more efficiently and access new markets.
In
addition to fostering economic resilience, the Protocol’s implementation
underscores the AfCFTA’s commitment to sustainability and equity. By providing
a platform for MSMEs to thrive and by prioritizing the inclusion of
marginalized groups, the Protocol is a vital tool for bridging the digital
divide and creating opportunities for all Africans.
Mr.
Mene noted that the Protocol on Digital Trade is not just about facilitating
transactions; it represents a transformative approach to unlocking Africa’s
digital potential. It aligns with broader goals of the AfCFTA to enhance
economic integration, drive industrialization, and achieve sustainable
development for the continent.
By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
