The maiden edition of the AfCFTA digital trade forum kicked off on 8 May 2025 in Lusaka under the theme “Boosting Digital Trade to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation”.

This event, held under the patronage of the Presidents of the Republics of Zambia and Botswana, was attended by a delegation from the Cameroon National Shippers' Council (CNCC). This delegation included Mr. Claude Koum, Head of the Information Systems Division, Mrs. Aïcha Maliki, Sub-Director for Trade Facilitation, and Miss Natacha Noungoua, Assistant Service Head for International Cooperation.

During the proceedings, AfCFTA’s Secretary General H.E. Wamkele Mene, underlined the need to speed up the entry into force of the protocol on digital trade, while building the capacity of member states to ensure its effectiveness.

The President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Hakainde Hichelema, on his part, stressed the need to reduce the logistical costs of access to digital technologies, using these technologies to facilitate cross-border trade and building continental governance around digital.

The conference ran until 10 May 2025 and was an opportunity for the CNSC to show its commitment to the development of intra-African trade