Titled Enabling e-commerce in Central Africa: the role of mobile services and policy implications, the report adds: "E-commerce is a key component of the digital
economy, allowing buyers and sellers to interact and
transact online regardless of time and location. This
has the potential to generate significant social and
economic benefits, particularly in emerging countries.
It can create jobs and stimulate economic activity by
encouraging investment and opening up new markets
to otherwise isolated rural communities. Women and
young entrepreneurs in particular are increasingly
using e-commerce platforms to grow their businesses,
reducing inequalities and helping local value creation."
The ESA and GSMA note that governments in the sub-region have a significant role to play in implementing policies to support and stimulate investment in e-commerce services. And as such, they identify key areas where action is required to increase access to digital services in general and e-commerce services in particular: enhancing digital and financial inclusion; taking the right approach to data regulation; addressing key challenges in the business environment; and leveraging stakeholder collaboration.
I support the recommendation for Central Africa's eleven governments to adopt policies to accelerate e-commerce, including better access to digital services and public-private collaboration. Yet, the report says "ECCAS member states are still a long way from maximizing the e-commerce opportunity due to a combination of infrastructure, macro-structural and regulatory constraints. As governments in the sub-region increasingly recognize the potential for e-commerce to drive economic growth and sustainable development, they must now move to address the key challenges to e-commerce adoption, working together with other stakeholders in the e-commerce ecosystem."
"A first step is to get more people online, by addressing the access and affordability barriers to connectivity for unconnected citizens, and create an enabling environment for e-commerce services to scale and reach new customers."
What are your recommendations for how Central African governments can support the growth of its e-commerce sector?
Aaron Rose is a board member, corporate advisor, and co-founder of great companies. He also serves as the editor of GT Perspectives, an online forum focused on turning perspective into opportunity.
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