African leaders have emphasised the importance of unlocking the potential of digital trade as a vehicle for growth, innovation and inclusion in African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This was at the launched the inaugural AfCFTA Digital Trade and Services Forum, themed ‘Boosting Digital Trade to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation,’ hosted by the Republic of Zambia under the leadership of the President, Hakainde Hichilema and AfCFTA Secretariat.

The forum served as a platform for fostering partnership and the exchange of ideas to fast-track the implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade which was adopted in record time and has been widely heralded as one of the most forward-looking legal instruments on the continent laying a solid foundation for a single African digital market.

The Forum was also attended by President, Republic of Botswana, Duma Boko, whose participation reinforced the collective political will across the continent to deepen digital trade integration under the AfCFTA.

President Hichilema reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to positioning itself as a leading force in Africa’s digital transformation, calling for stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector to ensure inclusive growth through digital trade.

His call was re-echoed by the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, who stressed the urgency of collective action in building digital infrastructure, securing investment, and scaling up innovation.

The three-day Forum brought together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, the private sector, development partners, and innovators from across the continent and beyond.

The forum included ten plenaries and parallel sessions covering a broad spectrum of topics, including digital inclusion for MSMEs, cross-border payments, data governance, artificial intelligence, and the monetisation of digital platforms.

The discussions underscored the urgent need to invest in interoperable infrastructure, harmonised regulations, and capacity-building initiatives that equip African youth, women and small enterprises to compete in the digital age.

During the forum, AfCFTA Secretariat, in partnership with the Google Hustle Academy, launched the AfCFTA Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Programme, aimed at bridging Africa’s digital skills gap and empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs.

The Forum also outlined key priorities including the need to strengthen digital infrastructure, support African-owned platforms, promote digital skills development, and adopt harmonised regulations that prioritise inclusivity and security. Stakeholders were urged to ensure that digital trade becomes a driver of equitable economic growth across the continent.