AfCFTA Adopts Eight-Point Roadmap to Accelerate Africa’s Digital Trade Agenda

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has announced a major step forward in Africa’s digital transformation agenda following the successful conclusion of the Second AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Lagos, Nigeria.

Held under the theme “Digital Trade for a Connected African Market,” the forum brought together ministers, policymakers, regulators, entrepreneurs, investors and development partners from across the continent to advance practical measures aimed at creating Africa’s single digital market.

A key outcome of the forum was the adoption of Eight Calls to Action, a roadmap intended to accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and move the agreement from policy discussions to tangible economic benefits for businesses and citizens.

The roadmap calls on African countries to fast-track ratification of the Protocol, strengthen digital public infrastructure, modernise customs and border procedures, promote secure cross-border payment systems, enhance cybersecurity and consumer protection frameworks, expand digital skills and inclusion programmes, mobilise investment for innovation, and deepen public-private partnerships.

Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, described digital trade as a transformative opportunity capable of reshaping Africa’s economy and creating jobs and opportunities for millions across the continent.

He underscored the importance of harmonised regulations, reliable connectivity, trusted data governance systems and digital skills development in unlocking Africa’s digital potential, particularly for women, young people, rural communities and small businesses.

“We are ready to take responsibility for our own destiny as Africans, to advance Africa’s digital economy, with the support of our partners across the world,” H.E. Mene stated.

Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who also serves as Chair of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers Responsible for Trade, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading the implementation of the Digital Trade Protocol as one of its designated co-champions.

The forum also highlighted several initiatives already supporting the continent’s digital trade ambitions. Among them is the AfCFTA Digital Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Programme (ADIEP), developed in partnership with Google, which is currently providing training in cross-border digital trade, cloud technologies and artificial intelligence to 7,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across 19 African countries.

Participants further welcomed the progress made by the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which is helping to simplify cross-border transactions and reduce payment costs for businesses trading across Africa.

A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Quest Ghana Limited to establish a Digital Trade Corridor. The initiative is expected to facilitate, monitor and settle cross-border trade transactions in accordance with AfCFTA regulations.

With Africa’s digital economy currently estimated at approximately US$180 billion and projected to grow to about US$712 billion by 2050, the AfCFTA Secretariat stressed that the success of the continent’s digital trade agenda will ultimately depend on effective implementation at the national level.

The forum concluded with a strong call for African governments to integrate digital trade priorities into national development and trade strategies, ensuring that continental commitments translate into meaningful opportunities for businesses, innovation, investment and inclusive economic growth across the continent.