The second session of the African Renaissance and Sustainability Engagement (ARISE) was organized under the theme \”African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and Digitalization: Are African Entrepreneurs and National Security Bodies Ready for E-Commerce Integration?\” The event was held virtually, bringing together esteemed speakers and participants from across Africa and beyond. Mr. Joseph Otsibah, the General Manager of Navantrics Limited, Ghana as the facilitator, commenced the webinar event with a general introduction, setting the stage for a thought-provoking discussion and running through to the end.
In welcoming all panelists, Dr. Lucy Anning, the Executive Director of DevAfrica Institute, delivered an open remark, extending a warm welcome to all participants, including distinguished guest speakers and attendees. Her remarks underscored the significance of the event in addressing critical issues surrounding AFCFTA, digitalization, and e-commerce integration in Africa.
Key Insights from the Event
Dr. Emmanuel Agyapong Wiafe, a Senior Lecturer at GIMPA and Senior Research Fellow with DevAfrica Institute, emphasized the imperative need for removing artificial trade barriers hindering African economies from overcoming extreme foreign aid dependency and acute debt traps. His insights shed light on the urgency of fostering self-reliance and sustainable economic growth through initiatives like AFCFTA.
Navigating further on the theme, Professor Geoffery Bentum-Micah, a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at Zhejiang Normal University, China, provided invaluable insights into the subject matter. He emphasized the necessity of boosting the online digital market in Africa, particularly in the Ghanaian economy. Professor Micah highlighted the gradual progress of individual African economies in embracing AFCFTA, digitalization, and e-commerce integration. He stressed the importance of practical policy enactment and strategic integration of innovative delivery systems, such as China\’s Kuadi, to expedite the process.
From the national security standpoint, Divisional Officer Grade 3 (DOIII) Tettey Kwame Kodzi from the Ghana National Fire Service reassured Ghanaians and Africans at large regarding the preparedness of national security bodies in facilitating trade and investments, with a particular emphasis on fire safety. His assurance underscored the pivotal role of security agencies in ensuring a conducive environment for trade and investment, thus bolstering investor confidence in Africa\’s potential as a unified trading bloc.
Conclusively, the ARISE Season 2 webinar event was a resounding success, providing a platform for robust discussions and insights on AFCFTA, digitalization, and e-commerce integration in Africa. The event highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities for sustainable economic development. As we look forward to future webinar events from the DevAfrica Institute, we anticipate more enlightening discussions and actionable initiatives aimed at advancing the African Renaissance agenda.
ARISE Africa!
ARISE is what all should be paying attention to. Kudos to organizers