Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 14 February – On the sidelines of the African Union Summit, H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, participated in the Roundtable on Policy Harmonisation, Trade Infrastructure, and Domestic Capital, organised by UNDP Africa.

During his intervention, H.E. Mene emphasised the critical need for digital infrastructure to empower African entrepreneurs and enhance their access to both the AfCFTA and global markets. He underscored the role of technology in accelerating intra-African trade, ensuring that businesses, particularly SMEs, can fully leverage the benefits of a digitally integrated market.

He also highlighted Africa’s imminent breakthrough following the adoption of eight annexes to the Protocol on Digital Trade, marking a significant step towards strengthening cross-border digital transactions, data governance, and e-commerce growth across the continent.

The roundtable facilitated discussions on policy coordination, trade infrastructure, and investment in domestic capital markets, reinforcing the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing Africa’s trade and economic transformation.