From Dialogue to Action: Reflections on the North Africa Digital Forum 2026

In June 2026, I had the privilege of participating in the North Africa Digital Forum (NADF 2026) as part of my work with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Subregional Office for North Africa. The forum brought together policymakers, researchers, international organisations, academia, and private sector representatives to discuss one of the region's most pressing priorities: how digital transformation can accelerate regional integration and economic growth through digital trade.

For me, the event was particularly meaningful because it provided an opportunity not only to contribute to the regional dialogue, but also to present research that has occupied much of my work over the past year on North Africa's readiness to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol.

Presenting North Africa's Digital Trade Readiness

During the forum, I presented findings from an ongoing UNECA working paper examining the readiness of the seven North African countries to implement the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol using a range of digital governance, infrastructure, and trade readiness indicators.

The research highlighted an important reality: while countries such as Morocco and Egypt are relatively well positioned to benefit from digital trade opportunities, others—including Libya, Mauritania, and Sudan—face significant structural challenges that could prevent them from fully participating unless targeted policy interventions are undertaken.

At the same time, the Digital Trade Protocol presents an unprecedented opportunity for African startups and SMEs to access continental markets, improve financial inclusion, and participate more actively in regional value chains. Realising these opportunities, however, requires moving beyond ratification toward implementation.

Four Priorities for the Region

One of the strongest messages throughout the discussions was that digital trade is not solely about technology. It requires an enabling ecosystem built on complementary investments in policy, infrastructure, institutions, and people.

In my presentation, I proposed several policy priorities, including:

Ratifying and implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol annexes while aligning national regulatory frameworks.
Investing in interoperable digital public infrastructure, including digital identity systems and cross-border payment solutions such as PAPSS.
Strengthening support for SMEs through innovation hubs, regulatory sandboxes, and digital marketplaces.
Ensuring that competition policy and digital inclusion remain central to implementation efforts.

These recommendations closely aligned with many of the broader discussions throughout the forum.

Common Themes Across the Forum

What made the forum particularly valuable was the diversity of perspectives. Experts from UNECA, UNCTAD, the WTO, and leading universities explored digital trade from legal, economic, technological, and development perspectives.

Despite approaching the topic from different angles, several recurring themes emerged:

Policy implementation matters more than policy adoption. Regional commitments only create impact when translated into national reforms.
Digital infrastructure remains a fundamental prerequisite, including broadband connectivity, data centres, digital identity systems, payment infrastructure, and logistics.
Human capital is the critical enabler. Digital skills, reskilling, and capacity-building are essential if businesses—particularly SMEs—are to participate effectively in digital trade.
Inclusive digital ecosystems are key, ensuring that women, youth, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities can fully benefit from digital transformation.

Perhaps the most important takeaway was that digital trade is not simply about digitising commerce—it is about creating the institutional and economic foundations that allow businesses to compete across borders.

Why This Matters for North Africa

North Africa occupies a unique position within Africa's digital landscape. While the region generally enjoys stronger connectivity than many other parts of the continent, significant disparities remain both between countries and within them. Digital infrastructure, regulatory readiness, payment systems, logistics, and digital skills continue to vary considerably across the subregion.

The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol offers a historic opportunity to bridge these gaps by promoting interoperable digital markets, harmonised regulatory approaches, and greater regional cooperation. However, success will ultimately depend on implementation, coordination, and sustained investment.

Looking Ahead

Participating in NADF 2026 reinforced my belief that Africa's digital transformation is entering a new phase. The conversation is gradually shifting away from whether digital transformation is necessary toward how countries can implement practical, inclusive, and evidence-based policies that deliver measurable outcomes.

I am grateful to my colleagues at UNECA and to all the distinguished speakers and participants for contributing to such a rich exchange of ideas. Events like NADF demonstrate the importance of regional dialogue in shaping practical solutions to shared challenges.