Digital trade is an integral part of free trade and critical to boosting intra-Africa trade.  In February 2020, the AU Assembly decided to include digital trade within the AfCFTA. Digital trade issues will be constituted into a Protocol that shall, upon entry into force, form an integral part of the AfCFTA Agreement.  In May 2021, the Council of Ministers established the Committee on Digital Trade to coordinate and facilitate the negotiations of the Protocol on Digital Trade under the AfCFTA. The Committee consists of all State Parties.