Single Digital Market in Africa

The Project at A Glance

In the 2017 AU-EU Summit in Abidjan, the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) committed to seize the opportunities of technological development and the digital economy. Subsequently the Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa (PRIDA) has been set up, which is a joint initiative of the AU, EU and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
In this framework, International Economics is providing support to the African Union Commission in the development of a comprehensive and forward-looking continental harmonization strategy to foster the creation of an enabling environment for digital integration and creation of a Single Digital Market in Africa.

What We Found

The continental Harmonisation Strategy is intended, as among its core outputs, to identify the digital polices, legislations and regulations that need to be aligned across the continent as a priority to promote a seamless digital market. Building on existing institutions and initiatives (including treaties, particularly the AfCFTA), and based on foundation pillars to support the vision of a secured Digital Single Market in Africa by 2030, our work will focus on economic/market aspects rather than overall social digital transformation and is specific to the question of harmonisation to reduce cross-border barriers to digital economic transactions/trade in Africa.

Our Strategy and Impact

In particular, the team will contribute to the following: • Assessment and Situation Analysis Report;• Draft Comprehensive Continental Harmonization Strategy;• Implementation Plan of the strategy that sets the basis for coordinated efforts to achieve a high level of harmonization of Digital policy, legal and regulatory frameworks across the continent for a consolidated digital market across Africa; and• Monitoring and Evaluation instrument to track progress.

Our Core Solutions

The world is becoming increasingly digital which creates opportunities for growth and development. African countries can stand to benefit through the harmonisation of digital policy and global alignment. But the process of harmonization is inherently political as it involves countries aligning their domestic practices with a single set of standards, rules and measures, and many countries are poorly prepared. As a result, there remains the so-called global digital divide. At International Economics, we provide advice on digital trade and ICT strategies, that can help unlock the digital economy.

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