The potential for intra-African digital trade and e-commerce remains constrained by traditional restrictions such as logistical challenges, limited internet penetration and access to financial systems and those related to the management and governance of data.

Issues around digital trade and e-commerce in Africa that need to be addressed include consumer protection, authentication, data localisation, cross-border data flows, cybersecurity and data protection.

The AfCFTA protocol on digital trade could provide a framework for the convergence of domestic and regional policies. There are a wide range of best practices in global bilateral agreements that could be drawn upon. A deep agreement with binding and enforceable provisions could provide a significant boost to continental integration in general, and the digital economy in particular.