By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Digital Trade Forum 2026 has concluded in Lagos, with member
states reaffirming commitments to accelerate the implementation of Africa’s
digital trade framework.
The
forum emphasized the need to move from policy design to execution of the AfCFTA
Protocol on Digital Trade, which is intended to establish a unified, trusted
and inclusive digital market across the continent.
Presenting
the Forum’s Eight Calls to Action, Chief Technical Advisor Gilberto DF Antonio
of the AfCFTA Secretariat stressed that while the protocol provides a strong
regulatory foundation, its impact will depend on practical implementation
across African economies.
In
his closing remarks, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene reiterated that
Africa possesses the talent, innovation capacity and technical expertise
required to lead its own digital transformation, urging member states to
prioritize coordinated action.
Nigeria’s
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, reaffirmed
Nigeria’s commitment as a co-champion of the protocol’s implementation,
highlighting ongoing national reforms aimed at strengthening the digital trade
ecosystem.
The
forum concluded with a unified message that the success of the protocol will be
measured not only by its adoption but by its tangible impact on businesses,
entrepreneurs and citizens across Africa.
Participants
underscored that Africa’s digital future will depend on sustained
collaboration, regulatory alignment and investment in digital infrastructure to
enable cross-border trade and innovation at scale.
Organisers
described the outcomes of the Lagos forum as a significant step toward
operationalizing Africa’s digital single market vision under the AfCFTA
framework.
