Policymakers and business leaders to review the future of e-commerce in Africa amidst COVID-19 challenges

Abstract

The International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) today will hold its first ecomConnect Day on the future of e-commerce. During the pandemic, e-commerce solutions have played a critical role in ensuring business continuity for many companies. They have been a crucial channel for providing vital goods and services. For many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa, e-commerce has offered a lifeline and can continue to play a principal role in their economic recovery. The first ecomConnect Day will bring together several policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to explore what opportunities e-commerce can bring to Africa as part of ITC and ECA’s contribution to AfCFTA implementation. The African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) and the Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) have co-organized two thematic panels to take place in the first part of the Day. This first session brings together high-level speakers to explore the AfCFTA and its impact on e-commerce. On ecomConnect Day, ITC will launch the ecomConnect platform. This portal links a network of dedicated experts and practitioners and online resources addressed at the ‘ecommerce divide.’ ecomConnect is the first e-commerce engagement platform with a special focus in developing and least developed countries.