At the UNCTAD eWeek 2023 session titled 'Boosting Digital Trade in Africa -lessons for effective technical assistance (WorldBank)', experts shed light on the intricate landscape of digital trade in Africa. The perspectives of Pierre Sauve, Cecilia Paradis-Gilford, the audience, and Antonia Carzanigaoffer a nuanced understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and potential strategies in harnessing digital technologies for economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.

Leveraging Digital Technologies

Pierre Sauve'sdeliberation underscored the strides African economies have made in leveraging digital technologies for sustainable development. However, challenges persist, including technical gaps, connectivity issues, and the complexity of achieving harmonization in the digital space. The preference of some developing countries for preferential agreements over commitments within the WTO adds another layer of complexity to digital trade.

Regional Digital Market Integration

Cecilia Paradis-Gilfordfocused on the need for enhanced regional digital market integration and the development of digital skills. Challenges in Africa East, such as high digital access costs and lower usage rates, emphasize the importance of harmonization, smartphone affordability, and addressing competition in the technology sector. Additionally, recognizing variation among countries in Eastern and Southern Africa becomes pivotal in tailoring digital development efforts.

Opportunities and Strategies for Digital Trade in Africa

Antonia Carzaniga talked about the transformative potential of digital trade in Africa, emphasizing the need for a supportive ecosystem encompassing connectivity, skills development, e-payment systems, and regulatory frameworks. While some African countries have experienced growth in digital services exports, challenges remain in fully leveraging digital trade. Market openness with supportive regulatory policies and a demand-driven approach tailored to the continent's unique requirements become focal points in seizing opportunities.

Just-in-time reporting from the UNCTAD eWeek 2023

Stay tuned for just-in-time reporting facilitated by The Digital Watch Observatory's AI-driven App! Keep this page bookmarked to access comprehensive reports from all special, thematic and high-level sessions. Please note that session summaries will promptly appear on our dedicated page following their conclusion.

Download our free mobile app and read UNCTAD eWeek 2023 reports on the go!

Download the Dig.Watch News+ mobile app from Google Play or the App Store to have instant access to our reports on your mobile device.