The African Trade Exchange Platform is Launched and Stakeholders’ Contributions to Policy Encouraged

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Afreximbank announced the development of the African Trade Exchange Platform (ATEX), a digital business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) tool to boost trade in Africa. A statement by the ECA explained that ATEX would help boost intra-African trade under the AfCFTA. They added the AfCFTA was expected to impact countries differently, based on their existing comparative advantages, all African countries would benefit and ensures gender policy is mainstreamed in the national AfCFTA implementation strategies, which is collaborating with African nations for AfCFTA implementation strategies.

ECA also has recognized that the private sector is an indispensable stakeholder in the AfCFTA, especially given its ability to catalyze sustainable economic development and job creation. Which is good to hear – as that’s what EFA is trying to do on behalf of the ecommerce sector. “Africa’s private sector accounts for 80% of total production, two-thirds of investment, and three-quarters of credit, and employs 90% of the working-age population,” said Stephen Karingi, Director of Regional Integration and Trade at the ECA.