Digital transformation must benefit all - COMESA

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

DIGITAL transformation must benefit small businesses, women and young people, not just large corporations if Africa is to unlock inclusive economic growth and deepen regional integration, COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe has said.

Ms Kapwepwe said digital technologies were critical to bridging development gaps, boosting regional competitiveness and building a more inclusive and sustainable economic future across the continent.

Speaking at the opening of the COMESA Institutions Awareness Forum in Tunisia, held under the theme “Expanding Intra-African Horizons: Digital Innovation as a Driver for Inclusive and Sustainable Access to COMESA Markets,” Ms Kapwepwe urged member states to ensure no one was left behind in Africa’s digital transformation.

“Digital transformation must work for everyone - not only large corporations, but also the small and medium-sized enterprises, women and young people who remain at the heart of COMESA’s regional integration agenda,” she said.

Ms Kapwepwe said the forum formed part of COMESA’s broader strategy to bring the regional bloc closer to its citizens while raising awareness of the opportunities created through regional integration.

She commended Tunisia for its economic transformation, saying the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa and Europe, vibrant private sector, and strong commitment to innovation and digital development made it an ideal host for this year’s forum.

Meanwhile, Tunisia’s Trade and Export Development Minister Samir Abid said digital innovation now lies at the centre of Africa’s trade agenda, supporting tariff liberalisation, the removal of trade barriers and the modernisation of trade systems.

“The future of African trade depends on our ability to modernise trade procedures, strengthen digital infrastructure and deploy smart solutions across logistics, customs and electronic payment systems.

“These innovations are essential to reducing costs, accelerating transactions and making our enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, more competitive,” Mr Abid said.

He said digitalisation was a powerful driver of inclusive growth, giving young people, women and entrepreneurs greater access to regional markets while expanding e-commerce, digital services and more efficient cross-border trade.