Digital trade in Africa: a research agenda

Africa’s digital economy is poised for significant growth, driven by initiatives like the recently adopted Digital Trade Protocol under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to reduce trade barriers and enhance regional integration. However, persistent challenges – including infrastructure deficits, regulatory inconsistencies, and the digital divide between countries – must be addressed to promote digital trade in the African continent. This book seeks to identify key research gaps and shape a forward-looking research agenda to support the creation of a single digital market in Africa. It consists of four sections covering infrastructure, competitiveness, the implementation of the AfCFTA, and cross-cutting issues, and it is a scholarly resource for academics and practitioners examining digital trade in the African context, as well as for policy-makers engaged in the design and implementation of a continental digital area capable of catalysing Africa’s economic growth.