ABOUT PeCI

E-commerce is based on modern technologies such as mobile trading, electronic funds transfer, internet marketing, online transaction processing and supply chain management for B2B. It allows companies to provide new products and services to a larger number of digitally-connected customers regionally and worldwide. Many stakeholders and suppliers must be connected to coordinate all processes in place.

Therefore, the EAC is developing a regional e-Commerce strategy with the support of EAC-GIZ under the project “Pan-African e-Commerce Initiative – Boosting African Digital Trade in Africa” (PeCI). The PeCI is a continental programme to improve the ecosystem for companies to participate in cross-border e-commerce. Framework conditions such as the harmonisation of regulations are crucial for businesses to participate in cross-border e-trade. In the long run, PeCI contributes to deepen the economic integration of East Africa, increasing trade within and outside the EAC.

Besides, PeCI also supports the development of a regional cross-border B2B platform in a sector to be selected to boost digital trade in the region. The programme liaises with SEAMPEC (Support to the East African Market-Driven People-Centred Integration) in this regard. EAC and EAC-GIZ are collaborating with UNCTAD who are providing e-trade readiness assessments of EAC Partner States among other things. EAC-GIZ implements this project as part of the Digital Africa Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

PeCI is commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Get more information on PeCI here.

Photo: ©GIZ_Mali Lazell