The digital economy, including cross-border services, digital trade, and electronic commerce (eCommerce), contributes to democratic and economic development by expanding market access for local businesses, promoting inclusive trade, creating jobs, and increasing tax revenue for governments to provide essential services. As the scope of digital innovation expands around the globe, so must appropriate considerations for harmonized national and regional policies and regulations to facilitate greater economic competitiveness and inclusiveness while respecting human rights and online freedom. Harnessing opportunities and limiting barriers to equitable participation in the digital economy has become even more important since the start of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), which resulted in online global data traffic rising by 20 percent. As people continue to rely on digital platforms and services more than ever before, it is crucial for diverse stakeholders including local business communities, civil society, media organizations, and governments to actively participate in multi-stakeholder discussions on the development and implementation of legislation and frameworks that impact the digital economy, from a national, regional, and Continental perspective. This Roadmap to Reform of Africa’s digital economy is divided into three parts. Part one highlights the findings from engagements held by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) on the various opportunities and challenges related to digital transformation in Africa in September 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This dialogue brought together representatives from chambers of commerce, civil society, media organizations, and governments across over ten African countries. Part two explores multi-stakeholder approaches to capitalizing on digital transformation opportunities in Africa. Finally, part three presents a series of case studies that illustrate the ways in which advocacy and multi-stakeholder engagement can advance the digital economy in Africa.
