• WTO, World Bank finish pilot of Digital Trade for Africa
• Project assessed e-commerce readiness in six African countries
• Next phase to provide tailored technical support, reforms guidance

The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Bank have concluded the pilot phase of their Digital Trade for Africa (DTA) project, an initiative aimed at boosting e-commerce development across the continent.

The pilot was conducted in six African nations: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Rwanda, Benin, Nigeria, and Kenya. Its primary goal was to assess the conditions for e-commerce growth and identify priority reforms needed to increase the countries' participation in global digital trade.

As part of the initiative, comprehensive assessments were performed in each of the six countries. These evaluations covered several key areas, including the quality of internet connectivity and electrical infrastructure, regulatory frameworks for electronic transactions (such as contracts, signatures, and invoicing), consumer protection, and the management of cross-border data flows. A common assessment tool was developed to compare national environments and measure gaps against international best practices.

"We intend to help these pilot countries leverage best practices globally and mobilize donor support for drafting and enforcing relevant laws and regulations. In the next phase of the DTA project, we will work with each pilot country individually to provide a tailor-made technical assistance programme for them," said Xiangchen Zhang, the WTO's Deputy Director-General. 

By focusing on digital trade, the WTO and the World Bank aim to support the growth of e-commerce in Africa, where demand is rising but still constrained by structural challenges.

Adoni Conrad Quenum