ITC, IOM, UNCDF, UNCTAD, Rwanda RCO and the Government of Rwanda launch joint Programme to amplify digital opportunities in cross-border trade
Kigali, Rwanda, 11 October 2024 – A new joint initiative called Amplifying Digital Opportunities in Cross-Border Trade virtually launched today, is set to empower Rwanda’s small-scale cross-border traders economically, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities through digital inclusion and regional integration.
The programme is supported by contributions from the European Union and the Government of Spain under the United Nations SDG Digital Transformation Funding Round, and implemented by Participating United Nations Organizations (PUNOs) involving the International Trade Centre (ITC) as lead implementing agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), which plays an oversight and coordination role, ensuring the delivery of a unified 'One UN' approach.
The new programme is a key component of the UN Joint SDG Fund’s Digital High-Impact Track designed to harness digital innovation, data analytics, and emerging technologies to drive sustainable development. By leveraging these tools, the programme aims to maximize its impact, providing small-scale cross-border traders access to digital platforms, financial services, and new markets, to improve their livelihoods and promoting inclusive economic growth.
With women representing over 70% of small-scale cross-border traders, the programme places a strong emphasis on gender equality and on empowering female traders as agents of social and economic transformation. It focuses on dismantling barriers that hinder women’s participation in digital trade, providing them with access to digital tools, financial literacy training, and market opportunities. By prioritizing gender-sensitive, digital policy reforms and digitally empowering cross-border traders, the Amplifying Digital Opportunities in Cross-Border Trade programme aligns with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST-I and II), SMART Rwanda Master Plan and Vision 2050.
The ADO-CBT programme also directly contributes to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC) Agenda, advancing Rwanda’s integration into regional markets. Through enhanced digital infrastructure and policy harmonization, the initiative promotes smoother cross-border trade, improved logistics, and greater economic cooperation between Rwanda and its neighbours.
Quotes
As articulated by His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, during the opening of the Biashara Conference on the AfCFTA in Kigali on 9 October, “small and medium businesses are the backbone of Africa’s economy – but they should not remain medium and small.”
At the launch the European Union highlighted the importance of supporting digital transformation efforts in the Great Lakes Region. “We really are in the best possible position to achieve this goal in Rwanda – which has already emerged as a regional, and indeed, global leader in the field of intra-regional trade and migration policies, and which has already laid out clear plans to accelerate its own digital transformation journey” EU Head of Cooperation in Rwanda, Michela Tomasella, noted.
By investing in digital solutions, the ADO-CBT programme aligns with global development objectives, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation, reduced inequalities, and partnerships for the goals.
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Notes for the Editor
About ITC
The International Trade Centre is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC supports small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and in- transition economies to enhance their competitiveness in global markets. By doing so, ITC contributes to sustainable economic development aligning its efforts with the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
About IOM
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the United Nations Migration Agency. IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. Acknowledging the importance of both regional and global trade for economic development and poverty alleviation, IOM assists its Member States in building strong, sustainable, and adaptable border infrastructure and enhancing the livelihoods of border communities to promote economic growth and improve human well-being.
About UNCDF
The UN Capital Development Fund assists developing countries in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans and guarantees, first and foremost for the least developed among the developing countries.
As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact where the needs are greatest—a capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate—to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.
About UNCTAD
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a UN subsidiary body and helps developing countries benefit more equitably from globalization by providing analysis, facilitating consensus-building, and offering technical assistance. UNCTAD supports its Member States in using trade, investment, and technology as tools for inclusive and sustainable development, aligning its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Financing for Development agenda. By working at national, regional, and global levels, UNCTAD helps economies diversify, integrate into global trade systems, attract investment, and address development challenges.
About RCO
The One United Nations (One UN) in Rwanda is convened by the Resident Coordinator (RC), who coordinates all UN operations at the country level, with the support of the Resident Coordinator Office (RCO).
The RC leads the Country Team (UNCT), which is composed of representatives of all the UN entities with operations (resident and non-resident) in the country. Working closely with the Government of Rwanda and with the support of the rest of the Country Team, the RC coordinates the UN agencies that make up One UN, advocating for the mandates of the whole UN system.
About the UN Joint SDG programmes:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
For more information about the ADO-CBT programme, please contact:
ITCLudmila Azo, Rwanda Country Manager |
IOMErika DeBona |
Rwanda RCOAngela Zeleza |
UNCDFRoselyn Uwamahoro |
UNCTADJean-Philippe Rodde |