The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), with financial backing from the Italian government, has launched a comprehensive e-commerce training program for Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi aimed at equipping key public and private stakeholders with the tools to harness the transformative potential of digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Held in Lusaka, the six-session workshop brought together trade officials, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in a capacity-building initiative designed to advance the operationalization of AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol.
This protocol seeks to harmonize digital regulations across the continent, reduce cross-border e-commerce costs, and foster a robust African digital economy.
“This training comes at a pivotal time for Africa,” said Lillian Bwalya, Permanent Secretary at Zambia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“The digital space offers tremendous potential for economic transformation, especially for landlocked countries like ours.”
Jointly implemented by the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) and ECA’s Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa (SROSA), the initiative featured expert-led sessions on digital marketing and virtual business simulations, spearheaded by international consultant Fabio Santoni.
Eunice Kamwendo, Director of ECA-SROSA, highlighted the broader vision of the AfCFTA: “This continental free trade area offers a $3.4 trillion market and an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine African value chains through digital innovation.”
Italian Ambassador to Zambia Enrico de Agostini underscored Italy’s support for sustainable development and entrepreneurship.
“Strengthening local capacities is key to fostering inclusive growth and long-term resilience,” he noted.
The Southern Africa training is part of a broader e-commerce readiness project that has also included Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Mauritania—countries already benefiting from tailored digital trade assessments.
As Africa positions itself to lead in digital trade integration, initiatives like this signal a growing commitment to shaping a competitive, unified digital economy that spans the continent.
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