« On the occasion of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Cameroon, digital trade is emerging as a strategic lever to transform the African economy. Despite initiatives such as the ‘Digital Trade for Africa’ project, the continent still faces major challenges in infrastructure and electricity access, while the opportunity to build an integrated African digital market is taking shape. »
On the occasion of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, held in Cameroon from March 26 to 29, 2026, digital trade is emerging as a key lever for economic transformation in Africa. Through initiatives such as the « Digital Trade for Africa » (DTA) project, carried out with the World Bank, the continent aims to close structural gaps by improving Internet access, digital infrastructure, and harmonizing rules on electronic signatures and data flows.
“600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, significantly limiting the development of the domestic market for startups.”
Tumentra Kennedy, Digital Trade Expert – Cameroon
Despite these efforts, Africa continues to face obstacles such as limited high-speed Internet access, high connectivity and equipment costs, and electricity shortages. According to the International Energy Agency and the World Bank, for 2024–2025, nearly 600 million Africans, or 43% of the population, still lacked access to electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for 85% of these people.
“The impact is a direct financial strain: when a digital entrepreneur must allocate 20 to 30% of operating costs to fuel for generators, their capacity for innovation is greatly reduced.”
Tumentra Kennedy, Digital Trade Expert – Cameroon
Launched in 2023, the DTA initiative has assessed the digital trade needs of six pilot countries and supports the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, aiming to create an integrated African digital market. If these commitments are translated into concrete actions, Africa could redefine its place in the global digital economy. Otherwise, the digital and economic divide with the rest of the world risks widening.
