Lusaka
Lusaka
<h3>Masterclass: Enabling SME Digital Trade — Building Trust Through Empowering Compliance with Digital Regulations</h3><p><strong>Date:</strong> 7 May 2025<br><strong>Location:</strong> Lusaka, Zambia (Hybrid: In-person & online)</p><p>The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are proud to co-host this dynamic Masterclass on the sidelines of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum.</p><p>Tailored for African entrepreneurs, SMEs, digital platforms, and youth-led enterprises, the Masterclass is designed to demystify the <strong>AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade</strong> and equip participants with <strong>practical tools to enhance regulatory compliance</strong> and <strong>build trust with online customers</strong>.</p><p>The session will address critical aspects of cross-border e-commerce, including data governance, consumer protection, and the use of digital trust marks — all key to unlocking the continent’s digital trade potential.</p><p>The Masterclass will delve into a case study<strong>: </strong>Re-Designing Africa’s Inclusive Digital Future with AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol through “AfriStitch”, a fictional pan-African women- and youth-led SME’s cross-border digital trade journey, 2035.</p><p>Participants will benefit from hands-on activities, expert insights, and networking opportunities, both in-person and virtually.</p><p>Whether you're new to digital trade or looking to expand across African markets, this Masterclass will provide the knowledge and tools to trade with confidence in the evolving digital economy.</p><p>Register now as in-person participation is limited to 50 seats only!</p>
<p>The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Trade Competitiveness and Market Access (ATCMA) Programme<span> </span>is part of a broader initiative under the ATCMA <span> </span>Programme, with other regional components such as the ECCAS ATCMA<span> </span>, the SADC ATCMA<span> </span> and the ECOWAS ATCMA<span> </span>. It is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The programme aims to enhance trade competitiveness and market access in Eastern and Southern Africa. In line with the AfCFTA, the programme focuses on improving regional competitiveness, integrating economies into continental and global value chains, and promoting sustainable trade between Africa and the EU.</p><p>Key objectives include supporting African countries in meeting international trade standards through improved testing, certification, and accreditation, while maximizing MSMEs' export potential by addressing market access barriers, enhancing value addition, and promoting sustainability and technology transfer. The programme contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including economic growth, sustainable industrialization, responsible production, and gender equality. </p>
<p>ITC is currently implementing the micro-level pillar of the EU-ACP Business-friendly programme, which aims to support value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion, and alliances. The program focuses on strengthening value chain governance and investment, as well as increasing the competitiveness of small farmers and MSMEs. A recently signed top-up agreement extends the implementation duration of the existing EU-ACP Business Friendly programme (B807) by 48 months, integrating additional funding and outputs into the existing initiative. The top-up aligns with the programme's objectives and will enhance access to value chain finance and sustainable investment. Three new outputs include enhancing access to agribusiness Value Chain finance and a Capacity Building Mechanism to support Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence, CSR and accompanying measure implementation, tailored to OACPS Member States. An initial six-month inception phase define the scope of intervention in the rum/sugar sector and advanced the selection of additional countries that will be included in the ongoing project across all value chains, namely coffee, cocoa, coconuts, cotton/fashion, kava, and rum/sugar sectors.</p>
Southern Sun Ridgeway Lusaka
<p>The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Its mandate includes assisting developing and transition economies to take advantage of expanding trade opportunities in an increasingly complex global environment. ITC supports trade impact for good, promoting sustainable and inclusive development goals through trade, targeting SMEs, Business Support Organizations, and Policy Makers. </p><p>ITC and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) held a Capacity Building Workshop in Lusaka. This workshop was part of the ongoing cooperation between ITC and ZICTA. The objective of the workshop was to enhance the capabilities of Zambian Business Support Organizations (BSOs) and Technology Hubs. By improving their service delivery and facilitation to enterprises, the workshop aimed to bolster competitive digital trade. The content covered fundamental skills and tools related to e-commerce strategy and digital sales channels, understanding client needs, and providing impactful business support services. </p>
