E-commerce summit highlights policy, infrastructure for Africa’s digital economy
The inaugural Africa E-commerce Summit in Lagos brought together policymakers, innovators, and business leaders to chart the course for Africa’s digital trade future, emphasizing robust regulation, infrastructure, and cross-border collaboration.
Held alongside the launch of e-commerce pioneer Saudat Salami’s memoir, Selling Pepper Online, the summit underscored the transformative potential of digital trade for the continent’s economy.
The summit opened with a high-level panel on E-commerce Regulations, Policy Frameworks, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), moderated by Ms. Ifeoma Oma Ehiri, technical advisor at GIZ. Panelists, including trade policy experts, customs officials, and agricultural leaders, explored how streamlined regulations and infrastructure could unlock Africa’s digital trade ecosystem.
Bernard Tayo, head of project at GIZ, highlighted AfCFTA’s role, stating, “It creates a structure that allows Africans to trade among themselves with limited obstacles. Digital trade makes it even easier, enabling businesses to reach customers without moving from their base.”
Nigeria’s advancements were spotlighted by Ijeoma Ayoka, chief superintendent of Customs, who detailed the new Unified Customs Management System (UCMS). The system streamlines electronic goods declarations and accelerates parcel processing, empowering SMEs to participate in cross-border e-commerce.
Meanwhile, Oluranti Oviebo, director at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the need for cold rooms, conditioning centers, and farmer training to scale agri-ecommerce, alongside private-sector partnerships to bolster food systems.
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A regional perspective came from ECOWAS, which, with GIZ support, is harmonizing e-commerce policies across its 12 member states to facilitate smoother intra-African trade.
A second panel on Grocery Delivery, Agriculture, and Accelerating Growth showcased how innovations in logistics and digital platforms are driving job creation and SME growth, critical components of Africa’s digital economy.
The summit’s discussions were grounded by the inspiring story of Saudat Salami, who launched Nigeria’s first online grocery platform, TV Shop, in 2001 with just $15, later scaling Easyshop Easycook into Africa’s first online grocery delivery service.
Marking her 50th birthday, Salami launched her memoir, Selling Pepper Online, sharing lessons on overcoming challenges in sourcing, logistics, and capital-raising.
She urged greater collaboration, saying, “We cannot build the future alone. We need policy, infrastructure, investment, and partnerships. This summit is our lighthouse, a call to action.”
Participants agreed that Africa’s e-commerce future hinges on innovation, inclusive policies, and the active involvement of women, youth, and SMEs. By addressing regulatory and infrastructural gaps, the summit laid a foundation for a thriving digital economy, with AfCFTA as a key enabler.
