‘e-Commerce in Africa to grow by 50% by 2025’

pedro Investing in capacity building will be crucial to meet the promise of e-commerce in the continent, he said.

According to Pedro, by adopting appropriate standards and emphasizing the value of sustainable value chains, we can maximize the job creation potential on our continent.

The Acting Executive Secretary also said that there should be sound policies and strategies at the national and regional levels with massive infrastructure investments.

,Africa’s rapid transformation will also be fueled by digital technologies.

“And we must bridge the digital divide, particularly along gender lines, to ensure true inclusion, and to truly unleash the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

He said that the 2023 Forum on Sustainable Development would have provided renewed momentum to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063.

“But we must accelerate, and to do so we need to recognize the hurdles that have to be overcome.

“This year we are revisiting Sustainable Development Goals 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17.”

Pedro focused on SDG 9 which is “Building resilient infrastructure, fostering inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation”.

“The outcomes of the African Union (AU) Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification provide us with a roadmap for realizing SDG 9 in Africa.”

Meanwhile, he said that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement was the framework within which Africa could ensure an African-owned transformation.

Although he said that the Forum would “Deep Thoughts on How the Africa Regional Collaborative Forum Can Help Accelerate the Implementation of the SDGs on the Continent”.

“This will be the moment to discuss how the 28 national AfCFTA strategies that have been completed so far, with our support and leadership of the African Union Commission, can be mainstreamed into the work of the UN Country Teams.”

He also spoke on the outline of an ambitious plan of the UN Secretary-General for SDG Promotion, which aims to increase the resources available for investment in the SDGs.

“This would require a fit-for-purpose international development architecture,Pedro said.

Also speaking, Vice President of the African Union Commission, Dr. Monique NsanjabgwanaUrges the Forum to articulate concrete proposals on the SDGs and Agenda 2063.

Nsanzabaganwa said that the implementation of both agendas was to be based on implementation plans that were African-owned and designed at the continental, regional, national and local levels.

“We need dramatically available financing for both the SDGs and Agenda 2063 and these findings are also needed to address climate resilience.

“We need to go beyond development aid and this is at the heart of the Green Recovery Action Plan.

“Upscaling finance is also about improving domestic resource mobilization and exploring innovative sources of funding,” He said.

The Deputy Chairperson also noted that it would be important to accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA and address Africa’s sustainable industrialization and economic diversification.

However, he stressed that flexibility must be built into the delivery of the SDGs and Agenda 2063, and the implementation of both must be with and for young people.

“Therefore, the implementation policies, plans and programs for both the agendas must actively involve and empower youth to design.

“By doing so, the implementation will leverage the creativity and energy of our youth,” He said.

Nsanzabaganwa called for strengthening the partnership to meet the SDGs and the goals of Agenda 2063.