10035189-Advice on implementation of AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and technical inputs to related reforms; facilitation and development of partnerships with the private sector on digital trade

The assignment supports the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol (DTP) by providing technical advisory services, capacity building and partnership development to strengthen digital trade ecosystems in Africa. The DTP establishes a continental framework for facilitating digital trade and promoting regulatory cooperation among AfCFTA State Parties. Effective implementation requires strengthened institutional capacities, coordinated implementation mechanisms and practical support to translate the Protocol into national policies, regulatory frameworks and business practices. The objective of this procurement is to provide technical and process advisory services to public and private sector stakeholders in Ghana, Kenya, the East African Community (EAC), and other selected African countries as well as to the AfCFTA Secretariat. The contractor will provide technical expertise to support the implementation of the DTP, strengthen coordination among relevant institutions and facilitate the exchange of international and regional best practices on digital trade.

On the public sector side, the assignment includes technical and process advice on the implementation of the AfCFTA DTP and support to national implementation mechanisms in Ghana and Kenya. This comprises the preparation and facilitation of National e-Commerce Steering Committee meetings in Ghana and National e-Commerce Strategy Implementation Committee meetings in Kenya, combined with technical capacity-building sessions on selected digital trade topics. The contractor will further organise regional knowledge-sharing activities for EAC Partner States and provide technical advice to the AfCFTA Secretariat on the implementation of the DTP. The assignment also includes the preparation of technical inputs to strategy documents of transnational African organisations to promote the integration of international best practices into regional digital trade initiatives.

The contractor will also provide technical advice on digital trade legislation and regulation, including the conceptualisation and delivery of technical workshops for public stakeholders on digital trade laws, policies and international best practices. Particular emphasis will be placed on consumer protection in digital trade. In Kenya, the assignment includes a legal and regulatory assessment of the consumer protection framework for digital trade, including benchmarking against international approaches and the formulation of legal and regulatory recommendations to strengthen the existing framework.

The assignment further includes strengthening capacities for private sector stakeholders, with a particular focus on MSMEs, business associations and intermediary organisations. In collaboration with the Association of e-Commerce Practitioners (AeP) in Ghana, the contractor will design and deliver a workshop on developing cross-border e-commerce business expansion plans for selected MSMEs, complemented by follow-up coaching. The contractor will also develop a practical guidebook on financing opportunities for MSMEs engaged in digital trade, outlining relevant funding sources, eligibility requirements and practical guidance on accessing finance. In addition, the contractor will deliver capacity-building workshops for business associations and intermediary organisations on strengthening business development, organisational management and the operation of e-commerce activities in line with international standards and best practices. To strengthen international private sector cooperation, the assignment includes the preparation and facilitation of a study visit for German and European e-commerce companies to selected African countries to explore market opportunities and establish business linkages. Furthermore, the contractor will compile a mapping of relevant German and European e-commerce actors to identify potential cooperation opportunities with African stakeholders.

The contractor will also support the development of strategic partnership concepts between African, German and European private sector actors. This includes preparing partnership concepts under initiatives such as the EU Tech Business Offer or the EU Global Gateway Investment Hub, as well as developing an additional cooperation concept for private sector collaboration in digital trade. Complementary activities include facilitating thematic sessions on digital trade at international events in Germany or Europe and organising matchmaking events in selected African countries to connect public and private stakeholders, identify cooperation opportunities and promote sustainable partnerships in digital trade and e-commerce.

Overall, the assignment combines technical and process advisory services on the implementation of the AfCFTA DTP, policy and regulatory support, capacity building and partnership facilitation to strengthen digital trade ecosystems in Africa. It supports public sector stakeholders in Ghana, Kenya and the EAC in translating the DTP into national and regional implementation mechanisms, legislation and policy frameworks, while providing technical inputs to digital trade regulation and consumer protection reforms. The assignment further strengthens the capacities of MSMEs, business associations and intermediary organisations to seize new business opportunities arising from the DTP through business development support, access to finance, capacity building and market-oriented advisory services. In addition, it facilitates strategic partnerships between African, German and European private sector actors, to promote investment, knowledge exchange, innovation and sustainable cross-border digital trade cooperation