In this episode of the Pure Digital Passion Podcast, on the 2nd December 2024, I had the privilege of representing Dotsavvy on a distinguished panel discussion titled “I Like My Coffee Black: Trade Today and Trade Tomorrow – The Realities” during the recent Africa Trade Development Forum (ATDF) in Kigali, Rwanda. This landmark event, jointly organized by TradeMark Africa and Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, brought together thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers to address the challenges and opportunities of digital trade in Africa. Moderated by the insightful Allen Asiimwe, Deputy CEO of TradeMark Africa, the panel featured: Antoine Sebera, Government Chief Information Officer, Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) Bernice Omiunu, Founder, Women in Blockchain Africa Gabriel Negatu, Board Member, Atlantic Council and TradeMark Africa Discussion Highlights: The panel tackled key issues such as bridging policy gaps, fostering trust in e-commerce, and financing digital infrastructure: Framing the Issues: Allen set the tone with her analogy of “eating an elephant,” emphasizing a step-by-step approach to solving Africa’s trade challenges. Bridging Policy and Practice: Antoine highlighted Rwanda’s success with the Electronic Single Window and the need for infrastructure investments. Building Consumer Trust: Bernice shared how blockchain can enhance supply chain transparency, while Gabriel discussed the role of digital IDs and interoperable platforms in fostering trust. Financing and Scaling Digital Innovations: Gabriel advocated for innovative PPP financing models, while I emphasized local context and interoperability in scaling digital platforms. Timestamps: [0:00] Introduction by Allen Asiimwe [5:30] Moses Kemibaro on policy gaps and infrastructure needs [15:00] Antoine Sebera on digitized trade solutions in Rwanda [25:10] Bernice Omiunu on blockchain’s role in trust-building [35:20] Gabriel Negatu on financing and PPP models [45:40] Final thoughts and actionable insights Discover how digital trade is transforming Africa’s economies through collaboration, innovation, and investment. #Trade #DigitalTrade #ECommerce #MarketPlace #Markets #SMEs #MSMEs #SmallBusiness #Traders ##Business #Commerce #AFCTA #AU #AfricanUnion #CrossBorder #EastAfrica #Kenya #Rwanda #Tanzania #Africa #Uganda #Ethiopia #Djibouti #Burundi #ATDF #Internet #DigitalMarketing #SocialMedia