Experts brainstorm on Africa’s e-Commerce platform

Experts in e-commerce operation in the sub-region have met in Accra to consider ways of developing the industry on the African continent.

The two-day conference, organised by the Pan African Alliance on e-Commerce and hosted by Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet), was aimed at deploying a single window that will be a seamless electronic process that facilitates trade and promotes revenue mobilization.

It was also to create a common platform for the operators in their various countries to deploy the service geared at simplifying the conduct of business transactions within the sub-region and propelling business competitiveness within the global economy.

e-commerce involves the use of innovative information technology solutions to improve efficiency in e-governance processes, distance education, revenue collection and financial transactions, which is a novelty in Africa.

Available data indicates that e-commerce in Africa is said to be worth about US$31 million, with US$30 million coming from South Africa.

Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Communication observed that the country’s adoption of the national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for accelerated development policy will go a long way to support the development and improvement of e-commerce services and boost global trade.

“Africa needs to work out a strategy for building capacity and strengthen regulatory practices that govern ICT operations in order to bridge the digital divide on the continent,” he said.

He reiterated government’s plans to deploy a national broadband backbone by constructing a national fibre optic network, emphasising that, an Electronic Transaction Act had been enacted while an Electronic Governing bill and Data Protection Act are also under consideration.

“We have also deployed e-payment systems to enhance the portability of money and financial intermediation.”

Notey Omaboe, Executive Chairman of GCNet, indicated that the deployment of e-commerce services was aimed at simplifying the conduct of business transactions in the country by promoting the competitiveness of businesses within the global economy.

“Early next year the Service will introduce a new system that tracks goods as it moves through the supply chain.

The Unique Consignment Reference number (UCR), which will be administered by the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), will make the country the first in Africa to use such a technology,” Mr. Omaboe revealed.