In a significant boost to Burundi’s trade ambitions, the East African Business Council (EABC), in collaboration with the EU Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) and GIZ-EAC, conducted a pivotal workshop on September 6th aimed at equipping 50 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) using digital platforms.
The workshop, held in Bujumbura, was officiated by Director General Jacques Rusengo, who represented the Minister of Trade, Transport, Industry, and Tourism.
Rusengo praised the initiative for its focus on integrating digital tools into trade practices and highlighted the workshop’s role in supporting youth and women, who constitute more than 60% of Burundi’s population.
“The integration of digital tools in trade is vital for leveraging opportunities presented by the AfCFTA,” Rusengo said.
He emphasized the need for eliminating non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and creating a conducive environment for cross-border trade through harmonized policies and legal frameworks.
The workshop comes at a time when the private sector’s role in regional and continental trade agreements is increasingly critical.
Rusengo encouraged businesses to adopt digital tools such as e-commerce to access new markets and called for advancements in digital infrastructure, financial services, and entrepreneurship to support Africa’s digital economy.
Hon. Jean Samandari, Secretary General of the Burundi Traders Association (ACOBU), echoed the sentiment, noting that the AfCFTA covers 55 countries with a projected population of 1.7 billion by 2030 and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
He urged the government to address infrastructure gaps and encouraged SMEs to embrace technology to reduce operational costs. Samandari also pointed out Africa’s modest share in global trade and the need to increase intra-continental exports.
Ms. Amelie Ninganza, Board Director of the East African Business Council, highlighted the critical role of real-time trade data and digital platforms in empowering SMEs.
She acknowledged the potential of e-commerce to reduce costs and improve efficiency but also noted challenges such as inadequate regulatory frameworks and currency issues that hinder the full use of digital tools for cross-border trade.
The workshop marks a crucial step in Burundi’s efforts to integrate more fully into the continental market and leverage digital advancements to boost trade under the AfCFTA.
