Digital Trade in Africa: A Research Agenda
Martina F. Ferracane and
Hildegunn Kyvik Nordås | 20 April 2026
Trade,
Books | Tags:
Africa,
Digital Economy,
Digital Trade,
Services Trade
Africa’s digital economy is poised for significant growth, driven by initiatives like the recently adopted Digital Trade Protocol under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to reduce trade barriers and enhance regional integration.
... continue reading
Services Trade under the WTO
Hildegunn Kyvik Nordås | 31 January 2026
Trade,
Research Papers | Tags:
Services Trade,
Trade Governance,
WTO
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is one of the four pillars of the World Trade Organization (WTO), established in 1995. Although services have always been traded, they were considered non-tradable both by policy makers and by scholars at the time.
... continue reading
Who is Afraid of AI? Who Should Be?
Erik Engberg,
Holger Görg,
Mark Hellsten,
Farrukh Jave,
Magnus Lodefalk,
Martin Längkvist,
Natália Monteiro,
Hildegunn Kyvik Nordås,
Giuseppe Pulito,
Sarah Schroeder and
Aili Tang | 26 January 2026
Trade,
Policy Briefs | Tags:
Artificial Intelligence,
Employment,
Innovation
What are the consequences of the rise in AI for workers? Will AI create or destroy jobs? Conceptually, AI can both substitute for and complement human labour.
... continue reading
International Trade Law and Global Data Governance: the Digital Single Market in Africa
25 April 2025 |14.00-15.00 CET | Online
Trade,
Webinar | Tags:
Africa,
Data Governance,
Digital Economy,
Services Trade
In a fireside-style conversation Rutendo Tavengerwei and Neha Mishra explore the interface between data governance in the African digital single market, national law, and global data governance frameworks.
... continue reading
Africa’s Digital Transformation and the Integration of Services Markets
27 March 2025 |14.00-15.00 CET | Online
Trade,
Webinar | Tags:
Africa,
Digital Economy,
Services Trade
Africa's early leapfrog into mobile telecommunications spurred rapid adoption of smartphones and related services but delayed the deployment of the high-speed fixed broadband needed for services market integration at scale.
... continue reading
Creative Industries in the AfCFTA: Shaping the Digital Transformation
20 February 2025 |14.00-15.00 CET | Online
Trade,
Webinar | Tags:
Africa,
Digital Economy,
Services Trade
The African continent hosts a multitude of vibrant creative industries. African music, film and arts are well-known examples. How does the African cultural sector benefit from the digital transformation of the society – and what are the prospects for further development?
... continue reading
Ensuring Coherence Between Services, Digital, Competition, and IP Protocols in the AfCFTA
17 January 2025 | 14.00-15.00 CET | Online
Trade,
Webinar | Tags:
Africa,
Digital Economy,
Services Trade,
Trade Governance
The AfCFTA digital protocol emphasizes the importance of promoting local digital content and services. How could the services; competition; and intellectual property protocols support this objective?
... continue reading
The Digital Protocol in the AfCFTA and the JSI on E-Commerce
15 November 2024 |14.00-15.00 CET | Online
Trade,
Webinar | Tags:
Africa,
Digital Economy,
Services Trade,
Trade Governance
This webinar series will bring together experts on digital trade and development, trade law, digital infrastructure and stakeholders from business and trade policy makers to explore how developing countries, particularly in Africa, can benefit from open and well-regulated digital services markets.
... continue reading
The Importance of Bringing the WTO Joint Initiative on E-commerce Over the Finishing Line
17 July 2024 | Online | 10.00-11.00 am (CET)
Trade,
Webinar | Tags:
Digital Economy,
Services Trade,
WTO
There is no doubt that global e-commerce and related cross-border data flows require governance to ensure cyber security and privacy. Interoperable rules and regulations across the globe would substantially ease the cost of trade in digitally enabled services for everyone.
... continue reading
To Advance Trade Policy, Strengthen the Role of Parliaments
Oliver Braunschweig | 5 July 2024
Trade,
Blog | Tags:
Parliaments,
Trade Agreements
In trade policy, parliaments generally play a lesser or even inexistent role. Strengthening their involvement can advance trade policymaking and help better align it with the public interest. This enhanced role should span the whole policy process.
... continue reading