By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The African Continental Free
Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has engaged the United Africa Blockchain
Association (UABA) on opportunities to leverage emerging technologies to
support digital trade, financial inclusion and cross-border commerce across Africa.
The consultation, led by the
AfCFTA Secretariat’s Chief of Staff, focused on how grassroots technology
education and innovative digital solutions can contribute to the implementation
of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade.
The protocol establishes a
harmonised, technology-neutral framework aimed at supporting digital payments,
cross-border data flows and trade facilitation among Africa’s 55 member states.
During the discussions, both
parties explored the role of technologies such as blockchain in improving the
efficiency and transparency of continental trade systems.
The stakeholders highlighted
the potential of blockchain-based solutions to enable faster and more secure
cross-border payments, reduce transaction barriers for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs), and support broader participation in Africa’s single
market.
The engagement also examined
the importance of ensuring that digital technologies are accessible to
start-ups, women entrepreneurs, traders and small businesses operating across
national borders.
The AfCFTA Secretariat and
UABA agreed to develop a roadmap for collaboration focused on technology
education, innovation support and capacity building for African entrepreneurs.
The planned collaboration
will include initiatives such as technology labs designed to support start-ups,
innovators and emerging businesses in developing solutions aligned with
Africa’s digital trade ambitions.
The AfCFTA Secretariat said
advancing digital infrastructure and expanding access to technology skills will
be critical to ensuring that the benefits of the continental market reach
businesses and communities across Africa.
