This archive report was first published on 10 July 2019.
On July 10, 2019, the ninth edition of the Assessing Regional Integration in Africa report (ARIA IX) was launched during the African Business Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi emphasized that the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will be measured by its ability to change lives, reduce poverty, and contribute to economic development in Africa.
Kituyi highlighted the importance of competition, investment, and intellectual property rights in the next phase of the agreement, urging the African business community to take ownership of the integration effort on the continent.
The report identified several challenges facing regional integration, including limited energy and infrastructure development, insecurity and conflicts, and limited financial resources.
Going forward, the report suggests that e-commerce is likely to be a significant driver and outcome of intra-African trade, with the public and private sectors increasingly adopting e-commerce platforms.
"The public and private sectors are increasingly adopting e-commerce platforms. Governments deliver services through them, electronic marketplaces aggregate consumer and producer demand as well as trade-related services, traditional businesses have incorporated e-commerce into their business models and operations, and individual entrepreneurs and small businesses use social media platforms to engage with market opportunities," reads the report.
