Get Guardian on GoogleThe United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Japan, represented by the Mission of Japan to the African Union, have officially launched their first joint initiative to support Africa’s economic integration process through support to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The project, supported through a $1 million grant from the Supplementary Budget for JFY 2025, was formally launched at a meeting held at ECA recently.
This collaboration marks the first time Japan has provided direct financial support to ECA’s work championing African integration, underscoring a shared commitment to digital innovation, inclusive trade and regional value chain development on the continent.
The project, titled “Boosting Intra-African Trade through Leveraging Digitalisation for Effective and Inclusive AfCFTA Implementation,” will be implemented over 12 months and aims to support AfCFTA State Parties, including Nigeria, in supporting their efforts to implement AfCFTA, enhancing accessibility of relevant trade information, strengthening digital ecosystems, and empowering women-led MSMEs in AU countries.
ECA’s Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, Stephen Karingi, hailed the collaboration, stating that it will unlock new opportunities for MSMEs, especially women-led businesses, as well as deepen Japan-Africa cooperation on trade and technology.
Key deliverables of the project include national digital trade portals, a continental database on raw materials and production inputs in the textiles and apparel sector, step-by-step guides for trading under AfCFTA and a capacity development programme with targeted training for government officials and women entrepreneurs.
The project will also engage with national governments, the AfCFTA Secretariat, Regional Economic Communities and private sector actors, including Japanese SMEs.
