The Digital Trade Protocol (DTP) of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a significant step forward for Africa's economic integration and digital transformation. It aims to transform Africa's digital economy by creating a unifying regulatory framework.

This report, based on a series of reports and papers undertaken by the Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) programme, explores the potential impacts of the DTP, examining early implementation experiences and challenges across three key countries – Ghana, Namibia and Nigeria:

• Ghana's Digital Agenda 2018 has fostered a robust digital ecosystem for e-commerce and fintech, but gaps remain around the harmonization of digital regulations and the lack of comprehensive data protection legislation.
• While Nigeria is one of the leading digital economies in Africa, it faces significant challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, regulatory constraints and cybersecurity risks, as well as a lack of alignment with regional digital trade standards remains a concern.
• In Namibia, inadequate digital infrastructure and low internet penetration rates in rural areas severely limit the country's ability to participate fully in digital trade.

Drafted for and presented at the Trade and Development Forum organised by TradeMark Africa in Kigali, Rwanda (2-3 December 2024 - see video below), the report highlights the DTP's potential to harmonise digital trade regulations, facilitate cross-border data flows and promote digital inclusion across the continent. It also analyses significant challenges and offers recommendations for successful implementation, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts and investments in digital infrastructure.

Report by the Overseas Development Institute