How African Digital Trade Initiatives Benefit Small Businesses: A Look at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol

In 2024, the African Union adopted the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, which is the first continental treaty designed to regulate digital trade. Additionally, several African countries are participating in digital trade rule-making through other forums, including the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce. 

Article 31 of the Digital Trade Protocol establishes an ambitious goal to enhance the meaningful participation of MSMEs in digital trade, also introducing concrete measures to encourage this participation. 

However, it is also crucial that the needs of MSMEs are considered when implementing the other, “stakeholder-type-neutral” rules, especially since some digital trade rules are particularly relevant to enabling MSME participation in digital trade. 

The webinar will discuss the aspects of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol that are particularly relevant to MSMEs. 

One of the primary aims of this event is to draw the attention of policymakers to these provisions and inform them about the way to implement them effectively.