The African Development Fund (ADF) and Smart Africa Alliance have jointly launched a $1.5 million project to streamline digital trade and e-commerce policies across 10 African countries.
The Institutional Support for Digital Payments and e-Commerce Policies for Cross-Border Trade (IDECT) Project will evaluate policy gaps in the digital trade and e-commerce ecosystems of Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, the Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Príncipe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
African Development Bank Director General for Southern Africa Region Ms. Leila Mokaddem, described the IDECT project as a pivotal step towards strengthening Africa’s digital trade and e-commerce landscape.
“This initiative will bolster the development of harmonized e-payment policies, capacity building, and gender-sensitive frameworks, ultimately fostering a digital trade ecosystem that generates employment opportunities across Africa,” she said.
Lacina Kone, CEO of Smart Africa Alliance noted that the IDECT project demonstrates their commitment to fostering digital transformation and economic growth in Africa. She further said, “By addressing policy gaps and promoting gender-sensitive training, we are laying the foundation for a thriving digital trade and e-commerce ecosystem.”
The project will see to the implementation of regional training and capacity-building programs focusing on cross-border e-Payment and e-Commerce for governments, private sectors, and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). These programs are expected to reach 600 participants, with 60% being women and youth. Additionally, a certified gender-sensitive e-learning training program addressing the unique challenges faced by women in digital trade and e-Commerce will be developed and disseminated to 2,500 participants, of whom 60% will be women.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, April 25th a day ahead of the 2023 Transform Africa Summit which is taking place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe scheduled to end tomorrow April 28th.
ALSO READ: HOW AFRICAN BUSINESSES CAN CONFRONT AND CAPITALIZE ON DIGITAL DISRUPTION
