By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Smart Africa Chief Executive
Officer Lacina Koné has highlighted the role of digital transformation in
advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and strengthening
economic partnerships between Africa and Japan.
Koné made the remarks in
Tokyo during the second meeting of the Study Group on Strengthening
Japan-Africa Economic Partnership, convened by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs alongside Koki Ozora, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He said Africa’s economic
integration presented a major opportunity to strengthen trade, attract
investment and build stronger partnerships with Japan, but stressed the need to
address barriers limiting connectivity, cross-border trade and market access.
At Smart Africa, Koné said
digital transformation had a critical role to play in making the AfCFTA a
reality.
Through digital
infrastructure, interoperable systems and harmonised policies, he said,
businesses could gain better access to markets, trade could be facilitated and
Africa’s economic integration accelerated.
