News From Africa

The AUC Holds the First Exporters’ And Ecommerce Conference in Nairobi

EFA attended the African Union Commission’s first Exporters’ and Ecommerce Conference (13-16 Dec). This was not intended to replace the AUC’s annual Ecommerce Conference, which was, coincidently, postposed last year, but is expected to be held this year at the Inter-Africa Trade Fair (IATF) in Cote d’Ivoire this November. EFA moderated the session on the digital divide, and spoke on the session on cross-border payments. The participants were a healthy mix of government officials and business, representing over 30 countries with more joining online. Overall, there was a optimistic view of internal continental trade. While the challenges were acknowledged, the conference broadly felt that the AfCFTA negotiations were going in the right direction and at the right speed.

 A number of tasks were set for EFA by the AUC – to help prepare 3 papers on key issues (data transfers, payment and customs) and to hold another meeting of ecommerce CEOs at the IATF. For more information please contact me ([email protected]). The discussions on driving digital divide inclusion were guided by the recent SAIIA paper on that same issue:  https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SAIIA_OP_338_DrivingDigitalInclusion.p