Susan Isiko Štrba, Start of Trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): E-commerce models for women
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Introduction: Start of trading under the AfCFTA
On 1 January 2021, African countries started trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) regime. With a population of 1.2 billion and a cumulative GDP of $2.5 trillion, the AfCFTA creates the largest trading bloc with a market of about 1.27 billion consumers. This number is expected to rise up to 1.7 billion by 2030. Intra-African Trade is one of the lowest of any region globally. Currently, the percentage of trade that African countries do with each other is a mere 16 – 18%. If the different African countries trade together, this figure can go up. The start of trading under the AfCFTA is an opportunity to raise trade figures. More here:
Start of Trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): E-commerce models for women
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Susan Isiko Štrba, E-commerce and business women in Africa: the role of the AfCFTA in accessing international markets
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Gender equality and empowerment of women (like in the picture above) are key drivers for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We would like to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign (25 November – 10 December), by addressing the importance of electronic commerce (e-commerce) in the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Africa. In particular, how can women entrepreneurs access international markets, even during the COVID-19 pandemic? More here:
E-commerce and business women in Africa: the role of the AfCFTA in accessing international markets