ECA | eTrade for all

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Created in 1958

Member since November 2016

https://www.uneca.org/

CORE ACTIVITIES ON E-COMMERCE AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)'s mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development.

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are:

Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent;
Developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation;
Designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa;
Contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus;
Advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

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How does ECA’s work and activities specifically touch upon e-commerce and the digital economy?

DITE4Africa (digital identity, digital trade, and digital economy for Africa) aims to empower Africa's sustainable development pathway through inclusive, innovative and secure digital possibilities. Here are ECA's ongoing efforts within the framework of the Africa Union Digital Transformation Strategy 2030 and UN Global Digital Compact.

Development of Digital Policies and Strategies, particularly in areas of digital governance, digital access, digital trade, and data governance as well in digital infrastructure.
Aligning with the UN Global Digital Compact to enhance the capacity of member states, civil society and academia to contribute to the UN Digital Compact.
Enhancing of Africa's Digital Capacity of member states to harness technologies including AI, robotics, IoT, 5G and blockchain while ensuring these technologies are properly regulated.
Implementation of the Good Digital ID Framework Principles as enabling factors for digital transformation, inclusive growth, and regional integration.
Implementation of the Lomé Declaration on cybersecurity against cybercrime to achieve a secure, inclusive & sustainable digital transformation.
STI for Sustainable Development: Accelerate Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, Knowledge-based Economy by (a) improving STI readiness in infrastructure, technical competence, and entrepreneurial capacity and (b) implementing specific policies and programmes in STI that address societal needs in a holistic and sustainable way.
Accelerating climate innovation and net-zero solutions including climate information systems (CIS) early warning systems, just energy transition platforms., etc.

UNECE has launched the Sixth UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation 2025, jointly with the other four United Nations Regional Commissions and United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

ECA | Economic Commission for Africa

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