Held under the theme "From Local to Global: Scaling Cross-Border Trade," the high-level forum will convene more than 200 policymakers, business leaders, investors, technology innovators and development partners from across Africa and beyond to accelerate regional digital trade and unlock new opportunities for African enterprises.
The Congress is being organised by Teki, in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through its project the Pan-African E-commerce Initiative (PECI), which has come on board as the Anchor Sponsor. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, strengthening Africa's digital trade ecosystem and enabling more small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in cross-border digital trade.
Announcing GIZ's support for the Congress, Jennifer Chiku, Digital Trade Manager, GIZ Kenya, said the partnership reflects the importance of building trusted digital markets and stronger regional collaboration to unlock Africa's economic potential. "Africa stands at the threshold of a new era in digital trade. Realizing this opportunity requires trusted digital markets, supportive legal and regulatory frameworks and stronger regional collaboration. Through the Pan-African E-commerce Initiative, GIZ is working with partners across the continent to strengthen the enabling environment for cross-border e-commerce and ensure that SMEs, women-led businesses and young entrepreneurs can participate fully in Africa's digital economy. Supporting the Digital Trade Congress reflects our commitment to advancing inclusive economic growth through regional integration and digital innovation."
Welcoming GIZ-PECI as Anchor Sponsor, Martin Muli, Chief Executive Officer of Teki, said the Congress is designed to become Africa's premier platform for turning digital trade policy into practical business opportunities. "Africa has entered a defining decade for digital commerce. As governments implement the AfCFTA and businesses increasingly embrace technology, the opportunity now is to remove the barriers that limit cross-border trade. The Digital Trade Congress brings together the policymakers, innovators, investors and entrepreneurs who are shaping that future. Together with GIZ-PECI, we are creating a platform that transforms policy into partnerships, innovation into investment, and ambition into measurable economic growth."
The Congress comes at a pivotal moment for Africa's digital economy. Kenya has been designated the African Union Champion for Digital Trade under the AfCFTA, recognizing its leadership in digital payments, innovation and e-commerce. The Government has identified digital trade as a strategic pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), positioning technology-enabled commerce as a catalyst for exports, industrialisation, job creation and regional competitiveness.
Industry forecasts estimate that the continent's e-commerce market will exceed US$113 billion (KSh 14.6 trillion) by 2029, while cross-border payment flows are projected to increase from US$329 billion (KSh 42.44 trillion) in 2025 to approximately US$1 trillion by 2035. More than 500 million Africans already participate in digital commerce, while the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol is laying the foundation for interoperable payments, digital identity, cybersecurity, consumer protection and trusted digital marketplaces across the continent.
The Digital Trade Congress will provide a practical platform where policy meets enterprise through executive dialogues, investment forums, innovation showcases and curated business-to-business engagements. Delegates will explore solutions that enable African businesses to expand into regional and global markets through technology, modern logistics, interoperable payment systems and harmonised regulatory frameworks.
A major highlight of DTC 2026 will be the official launch of the Kenya Ecommerce Alliance (KECA), a public-private platform that will unite government, industry, development partners and the private sector to strengthen Kenya's digital commerce ecosystem and accelerate the country's ambition of becoming Africa's leading digital trade hub.
The Congress will examine the key issues shaping the future of African commerce, including AfCFTA implementation, cross-border logistics and fulfilment, digital payments, fintech innovation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust, regulatory harmonisation, SME export readiness and investment opportunities. It will also provide a platform for business matchmaking, investment engagement and policy dialogue among leaders from government, industry, academia and development organisations committed to advancing Africa's digital economy.
The Congress has attracted overwhelming support from leading Ecommerce platforms including Twiva the Official creator Commerce partner, WYLDE International as the Strategic Growth advisory Partner among many others. So far, respected global thought leaders from across the global have confirmed participation from different Ecommerce Associations in Germany, South Africa, Uganda and Kenya.
About the Digital Trade Congress
The Digital Trade Congress (DTC) is Africa's premier annual platform dedicated to advancing cross-border digital trade through innovation, policy dialogue and strategic partnerships. The Congress brings together leaders from government, business, technology and development sectors to accelerate Africa's integration into regional and global digital markets while promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
About GIZ Pan-African E-commerce Initiative (PECI)
The GIZ Pan-African E-commerce Initiative (PECI) supports businesses in selected African countries to engage in cross border digital trade by strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, improving digital trade capabilities, fostering innovation and enabling SMEs to benefit from opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
