ISDS Case Map
digital economy | e-commerce
The Ministry of Trade and Export Development is working to launch an electronic platform to digitize the issuance of certificates of origin for exporting local products to several African countries, under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Touted as the first major regionwide digital economy agreement in the world, talks on Defa officially began in September 2023, covering areas such as digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, cyber security, digital identity, digital payments and cross-border data flows.
A close examination of the dizzying chaos surrounding President Trump’s tariff threats and secretive “trade deals” shows a disturbing throughline: this is nothing but a shakedown on behalf of Big Tech.
The new digital platform streamlines exporter registration and the issuance of Certificates of Origin — documents that are vital for traders seeking preferential access under COMESA, the East African Community (EAC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat have joined forces to roll out the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), a digital trade platform aiming to help Rwandan businesses identify partners, access financing, complete cross-border payments, and expand into new markets.
As part of efforts towards forging a viable and practical path for implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, Nigeria has held the maiden digital trade market access roundtable, welcoming regulators from Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.
The US has been seeking an opening to discuss the bloc’s legislation, including digital and technology rules as well as corporate compliance and climate-related regulations.
Selling of products and services by US companies in India is likely to get easier with the two countries renegotiating a trade deal, with focus on facilitating digital trade.
Five-day programme aims to help North African nation domesticate protocol as digital commerce integration advances. Tunisia has become the latest African country to receive targeted support for implementing the continent’s ambitious digital trade framework.
Kenya is positioning itself as a regional hub for digital trade and payments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a role highlighted during the 2025 World Trade Organization (WTO) forum in Geneva.
