The East African Community convened on cross-border digital trade, emphasising regional cooperation within the continent

The future of African integration will be determined as much by digital connectivity as by physical connectivity. An East Africa Community (EAC) Cross-Border Digital Trade peer learning initiative held in Kigali, Rwanda, brought together stakeholders from the EAC Secretariat, the International Trade Centre (ITC), government agencies and the private sector from 6 partner states, presenting evidence that regional integration is entering a new phase, where reducing trade costs increasingly depends on the interoperability of digital systems rather than simply building roads, ports, or border posts. Digital trade is fundamentally a coordination challenge. Most EAC Partner States have already developed important digital solutions(National Single Windows, customs automation systems, electronic certificates, e-payment systems and trade portals). However, these systems largely operate as national islands of connectivity. The real gains will come only when they will communicate seamlessly across borders through common standards, interoperable legal frameworks, and institutional cooperation. Read more on Trade Finance Global.