UNDP and partners are organizing a conversation on ‘Making the AfCFTA work for African E-Commerce’ on 30 September 2021 at 12:00-14:00 GMT.

In January 2020, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government directed the inclusion of a protocol dedicated to E-Commerce in the AfCFTA. AU Member States were urged to review the e-commerce issues proposed in bilateral trade agreements, to ensure that: “Africa is able to negotiate and implement an AfCFTA Protocol on e-Commerce where Africa has full authority on all aspects of e-commerce such as data and products being traded under e-commerce, and to promote the emergence of African owned e-Commerce platforms at national, regional and continental levels as part of our preparations for the negotiation of an AfCFTA Protocol on e-Commerce”.

UN Agencies are supporting African e-commerce operators to identify priorities, opportunities and ambitions for the forthcoming AfCFTA E-Commerce Protocol. 

The e-commerce dialogue aims to:

1. Create awareness on the AfCFTA for e-commerce entrepreneurs and businesses.
2. Identify trends in cross-border trade and digital services.
3. Build a clear understanding of the priorities, opportunities and challenges for e-commerce in the AfCFTA One African Market.

A survey to determine what e-commerce entrepreneurs want out of the AfCFTA will be deployed to African e-commerce entrepreneurs and businesses prior to, during and after the dialogue.

Implementing partners include the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the African Technology and Creative Group (ATCG), a coalition of 300 African industry leaders and forward-thinking ecosystem builders representing over 30 countries committed to ensuring that the AfCFTA is leveraged for shared economic prosperity.

Registration link: https://undp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_y3FM2TMXTD2qRvDRSYyxKQ.

For inquiries: ify.ogo[at]undp.org