2 - 3 DECEMBER, KIGALI RWANDA

THEME:

DIGITAL TRADE

AFRICA TRADE DEVELOPMENT FORUM-KIGALI

OUR PILLARS FOR
GROWING PROSPERITY

About the Africa Trade Development Forum

With our shared goals for a prosperous Africa in mind, we are re-establishing the Africa Trade Development Forum, a gathering aimed at propelling advancements in trade facilitation and shaping a strategic voice for trade across the continent. This year, the Government of Rwanda is proud to co-host the event in Kigali from December 2 to 3, 2024. Building on the successes of previous fora held in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2019, this platform will bring together Heads of States and senior Government Officials, Development Partners, Academicians, Multilateral Organisations and Private Sector leaders and innovators to discuss and make decisions that will achieve our vision of a thriving Africa.

When & Where

Kigali is prepared to host The Africa Trade Development Forum.Africa is advancing its economic development agenda rapidly. Young people are demanding not just jobs but fulfilling careers that give them control over their futures. Trade has the power to make that happen, and it is up to us to connect the dots between trade policies and the real change that the continent is pursuing.

Topics of Discussion

This event will reimagine Africa’s trade landscape, where digital innovation unlocks the continent’s borderless potential. We will explore how technology can empower businesses, connect markets, and foster inclusive economic growth. Backed by data, we will envision a future where cross-border trade is seamless, secure, and sustainable, with a focus on interoperability of digital services, in particular payments and information exchanges. Through insightful discussions and collaborative exploration, we will uncover strategies to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that every African benefits from digital trade.

Programme highlights

Opening Remarks

Keynote speeches from host Government and international funding bodies.

Presidential Fire-Side Chat

Featuring host Government and leaders from the private sector and funding bodies.

Mini Investment Forum

A sideline event organised by Trade Catalyst Africa to explore funding opportunities and partnerships for infrastructure development.

Plenary Sessions

Will include interactive sessions like panel discussions, round tables, open-mic sessions. Discussions will focus on emergent trends in digital trade, policy evolution and technological breakthroughs, based on research findings from leading institutions.

Breakout Sessions

Showcases and targeted discussions on digital payments, AI integration, and the nexus on digital and green trade.

Closing Pronouncement

A joint call to action by the Government of Rwanda and international delegates, underscoring key outcomes from the event and commitments to advance trade in Africa.

Meet Your Speakers

Hon Prudence Sebahizi

Minister of Trade and Industry, Rwanda

H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn

Chair of the Board, TMA & Former Prime Minister, Ethiopia

H.E. Wamkele Mene

Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat

Dr. Kassahun Gofe

Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Ethiopia

Khomotso Letsatsi

Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, Executive Head- Lanseria

Hon. Sosten Alfred Gwengwe

Minister of Trade and Industry, Malawi

Pascal Lamy

Vice President, Paris Peace Forum, Former Director General, WTO

David Beer

Chief Executive Officer,
TMA

Hilda Moraa

Founder and CEO,
Pezesha

Lola Ekugo

Digital Executive & Director, SWIT – Odu’a Investment Company (Nigeria)

Moses Kemibaro

Founder Dotsavvy and thought leader in Tech in Africa

Tonnes Cargo throughput at Mombasa Port

0 Mio

Improved efficiency at the Port of Mombasa has contributed to increased volumes of trade. Cargo throughput registered a steady annual compounded growth of 5.7% from 27 million MT in 2016, to 34 million MT in 2020. Container traffic compound growth of 5.6%, from 1,091,371 TEUs in 2016 to 1,359,579 TEUs in 2020. Source Northern Corridor Annual Report, 2021.

Cargo Clearance at Mombasa Port

0 Days

In 2010, it took 11.2 days for cargo to clear at Mombasa Port. TradeMark Africa has contributed over US$88 million to support improvement of infrastructure, systems and processes at the port, thus contributing to a reduction of clearance time. Resultantly, Kenya Ports Authority reports that cargo clearance time reduced to 3.5 days in 2022 (Source-Kenya Ports Authority Statistics).

in increased exports

US$ 0 M

A 2019 FCDO commissioned independent impact evaluation of TradeMark Africa interventions established that our work had contributed to annual cost savings of US$110 million, resulting in increased exports by US$549 million, and imports by US$145 million. Time savings led to an additional US$102 million in exports.

Average reduction in time to cross select OSBPs

0 %

Time to cross select One Stop Border Posts reduced by an average of 70%, leading to annual savings of US$62.8 million. TradeMark Africa has overseen construction, completion and operationalisation of 15 OSBPs to date. Supporting 10 additional ones as of 2022.

Digital portals (Single Window Information for Trade Systems)

> 0

TradeMark Africa has facilitated over 60 Digital portals (Single Window Information for Trade Systems) in trade agencies across Eastern Africa region. These have reduced the time to process trade documents from an average of 86 hours in 2012 to 10 hours in 2016 and cost per transaction from $58 to $8 in the same period.

Women cross-border traders reached

> 0

The women in trade programme has reached over 200,000 women cross border traders, set up information centres across 14 border crossing points across Eastern Africa, built capacity of 3500 women led SME’s to link them to markets.