(Business in Cameroon) – The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which brings together 10 countries including Cameroon, has endorsed a draft inclusive regional policy to develop e-commerce in Central Africa. The plan was validated during a meeting held in Douala from September 23 to 24, 2025, with support from the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) through its African Trade Policy Centre, which is helping design a harmonized legal and regulatory framework.
The workshop gathered telecom operators, national regulators, e-commerce platforms, and service providers to work on building an integrated digital ecosystem. Globally, e-commerce has become a key driver, with online sales reaching $26.7 trillion in 2019, up 4% from 2018. In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated growth, with online sales climbing from 31% to 43%.
In the ECCAS region, digital transition is advancing. According to Jacob Kotcho Bongkwaha, ECCAS’s Director of the Common Market, mobile subscriber penetration rose from 18% to 42% between the start of the last decade and 2019, and is expected to reach 46% by 2025. Mobile internet users were estimated at 52 million in 2020, with projections of 86 million by 2025, equal to 36% of the population. This growth underlines strong potential for inclusive and sustainable e-commerce development.
Still, the region faces hurdles: weak digital infrastructure, uneven internet access, regulatory disparities, and limited institutional capacity. These challenges slow down large-scale adoption of e-commerce and restrict its role as an economic and social driver.
A regional strategy aligned with Agenda 2063
To address these obstacles, ECCAS is working on a coherent and inclusive regional policy aligned with global, regional, and national instruments. It draws on the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade, and the AU Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030).
Strategies from ECCAS and its member states will aim to harmonize digital policies, improve connectivity, and ensure the inclusion of SMEs, women, youth, and rural populations in the digital economy. The goal is to boost cross-border trade and strengthen the international competitiveness of regional economies.
ECCAS has also committed to implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol. Priorities include strengthening regulatory authorities, harmonizing standards, and developing intra-regional connectivity infrastructure. Particular attention is being given to fostering local digital industries, including regional manufacturing of electronic devices and integration into global tech value chains.
These initiatives aim to create jobs in the ICT sector and generate lasting economic opportunities. By accelerating digital transformation, ECCAS hopes to lay the foundations for inclusive growth and reinforce economic integration among member states.
