This podcast episode features Emily Mburu-Ndoria - Director, Trade in Services, Investment, IPR and Digital Trade - AfCFTA Secretariat, who joins our hostRumbidzai Venge to discuss the report titled Digital trade regulatory environment: Opportunities for regulatory harmonization in Africa. 

Some of the main themes of the report include:

• The significance of domestic policies, such as data and consumer protection laws, in creating a favorable environment for digital trade. 
• The role of international agreements, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) Reference Paper on Telecommunications and UNCITRAL Model Laws on Electronic Commerce and Electronic Signatures, in enhancing cross-border interoperability. 

The report introduces a beta version of the digital trade policy index, which aims to summarize the policy environment on digital trade in various countries and more!

Our expert guest breaks down topics including the current state of Digital Trade in Africa encompassing the challenges and opportunities, regulatory frameworks, the Digital Trade Index and potential opportunities for regulatory harmonization in Africa's digital trade regulatory environment.

The episode was recorded before adoption of the digital trade protocol under the AfCFTA.

We hope you find this episode insightful!