Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has called on African nations to prioritize digitization as a key driver for eliminating trade barriers and enhancing economic growth. Speaking at the Third Africa Digital Ministerial E-Government Summit in Lusaka, Hichilema emphasized the critical role of digital transformation in improving cross-border trade efficiency and reducing the high cost of doing business across the continent.
He highlighted that Africa continues to face challenges such as delays in the movement of goods, which significantly increase operational costs. By embracing digital technologies, he said, African countries can reduce travel and transportation time, streamline administrative processes, and create a connected and efficient continental economy.
“Africa bears a high cost of doing business because of delays in the movement of goods,” he told delegates from 26 participating countries. He urged governments to strive toward achieving a “first-degree digital space” — one that measures and drives economic performance effectively.
The summit, organized by Smart Zambia in collaboration with the Ministries of ICT, Finance and National Planning, and Home Affairs and Internal Security, aims to foster policy dialogue and collaboration on e-governance and digital transformation across Africa.
Potential Benefits to African Trade:
Digitization offers Africa significant opportunities to transform trade by reducing bureaucratic barriers, lowering business costs, and improving cross-border efficiency. It enhances competitiveness through greater productivity and transparency, promotes inclusive growth by expanding access for SMEs, and supports continental integration under the AfCFTA by creating interconnected, technology-driven markets across the region.