Mr. Kelvin Jiraji, Co-Chair of the G-20 Africa Digital Economy Summit (AfriDES), has emphasized that digital transformation is crucial for the success of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Speaking in Abuja, he unveiled the upcoming summit, which will be held alongside the G20 Summit in São Paulo, Brazil, next month.
Jiraji, also the convener of AfriDES, highlighted the importance of digital transformation in accelerating AfCFTA’s objectives. He noted that the expansion of technology and the digital economy makes it essential to integrate and leverage digital infrastructure and value chains effectively.
The Africa Digital Economy Summit aims to foster strong engagements and collaborations with Heads of Government, policymakers, FinTech providers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and other key stakeholders. Jiraji emphasized that digital trade is a current reality and that Africa stands to gain significantly from digital transformation, particularly through payment platforms that facilitate cross-border trade and enhance intra-continental trade.
He underscored the summit’s theme, “Digital Transformation for Sustainable Growth: Africa’s Path to a Connected Future,” and stressed that Africa must move beyond merely catching up and embrace digital advancements to secure sustainable growth.