FEATURED: Rwanda set to host Trade Development Forum

The Trade Development Forum, co-hosted by the government of Rwanda and TradeMark Africa, is set to kick off on December 2-3 in Kigali. Held under the theme, 'Unlocking Africa's trade potential through digital innovation' the two-day forum will explore how technology can empower businesses, connect markets, and foster inclusive economic growth. Digital trade has unique benefits beyond traditional gains from trade, including lowering the barriers to entry, especially for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and connecting them to global markets. ALSO READ:Former Ethiopian PM named TradeMark Africa board chair According to Erick Sirali, Director of Digital Trade at TMA, trade, which is often seen as a complex web of transactions can be simplified and made more efficient and cost effective through technology. “Technology can be used to enable trade through powering trade services like issuance of licenses and permits,” Sirali said. “Digital trade can transform how traders do business by cutting on inefficiencies and also catalyse trade through new e-commerce market opportunities,” he added. This year’s forum aims to showcase Africa’s digital trade experience, strengthen partnerships among government officials, industry leaders and other key stakeholders while providing a collaborative platform to explore innovative concepts. According to Sirali, tech innovations will be showcased at the forum. “We will have a live demonstration of the application of Artificial Intelligence in customs and other trade processes as well as the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT),” he said. Various stakeholders will hold discussions on driving inclusion and sustainability in trade through digital processes, the future of trade policies and frameworks, Interoperability of digital services as well as increasing trust in trade through the use of distributed ledger technology and AI. Also Read: TradeMark East Africa gets new boss The forum which will be officially opened by Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, will bring together Ministers from eight African countries, over fifty CEOs from state entities and private businesses, as well as development partners and multilateral organisations. From this year’s conference, an Africa Trade Development Forum Kigali Declaration that will be formulated from deliberations made at the conference. At the same time, TMA will launch the Trade Facilitation Flagship document, which highlights the trends in trade facilitation in Africa and some of the new technologies that are making it easier, faster and cheaper to trade.

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FEATURED: Rwanda set to host Trade Development Forum