The stage has been set for the creation of a unified African digital market, following the just-ended AfCFTA Digital Trade and Services Forum in Lusaka, an event that marked a decisive step toward transforming how the continent trades, innovates, and grows in the digital era.
Convened on the theme “Boosting Digital Trade to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation,” the three-day forum pooled Heads of State and Government, ministers, private sector leaders, development partners, and digital entrepreneurs to align strategies and commit to actionable steps for deepening digital integration under AfCFTA.
Central to the forum’s outcome was the operationalisation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most forward-looking legal instruments. The protocol is expected to drive the harmonisation of digital policies across member states and unlock the full potential of e-commerce, digital services, and cross-border innovation.
President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, who hosted the forum, reiterated his government’s commitment to positioning Zambia as a regional digital hub, calling for stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector to ensure inclusive access to the benefits of digital trade. He was joined by President Duma Boko of Botswana and the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, in a high-level presidential plenary that stressed the urgency of building digital infrastructure, securing investment, and accelerating innovation to drive economic inclusion.
As digital trade ambitions grow, a key enabler has emerged in the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a real-time gross settlement infrastructure launched in 2022 by the African Union and Afreximbank. Designed to facilitate cross-border transactions in local currencies, PAPSS is already proving to be a critical backbone for seamless intra-African trade. By eliminating the need for third-party currencies like the US dollar or euro, PAPSS not only reduces transaction costs but also accelerates the speed of trade settlements across diverse national banking systems. The system’s growing adoption reflects increasing confidence in its potential to streamline payments for both goods and services, particularly in digital markets where speed and efficiency are paramount. Several forum discussions referenced PAPSS as a practical instrument already at work, illustrating the shift from policy promises to real solutions.
Throughout the ten plenary and parallel sessions, participants tackled key barriers to digital trade including limited infrastructure, fragmented regulatory regimes, and a widening digital skills gap. Topics explored ranged from data governance and artificial intelligence to digital inclusion and the monetisation of online platforms. A recurring theme was the need to empower Africa’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, women-led businesses, and youth innovators to compete meaningfully in the global digital economy.
In a major development, the AfCFTA Secretariat, in partnership with Google’s Hustle Academy, launched the AfCFTA Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme. This initiative is designed to close the continent’s digital skills gap by equipping young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a technology-driven market.
Another highlight of the forum was the recognition of finalists in the AfCFTA Digital Innovation Challenge, which showcased Africa-led tech solutions addressing local challenges and scaling economic opportunity.
The forum concluded with a Call to Action titled “The Road to Success: Charting the Course for Digital Trade under the AfCFTA.”
The document outlines a clear set of priorities for stakeholders, including the urgent need to expand digital infrastructure, support African-owned digital platforms, promote skills development, and adopt harmonised digital regulations that ensure security and inclusivity.
With implementation now taking centre stage, the Lusaka forum has provided renewed impetus and political backing to fast-track Africa’s digital trade ambitions.
Mr Wamkele did not mince words in declaring that the message from Lusaka is clear: digital trade is not a future ambition, it is a present-day economic necessity.
With systems like PAPSS reinforcing payment interoperability and digital entrepreneurs stepping up with local solutions, “Africa is ready to lead in shaping a unified, competitive digital economy.”
