FAMReports News Desk | March 2026
The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat (AfCFTA) in partnership with Google Hustle Academy has launched a continental digital skills training programme aimed at empowering entrepreneurs to leverage e commerce, digital payments, and seamless cross border trade processes under the AfCFTA framework.
The initiative calls on entrepreneurs from South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, and Zambia, among others, to participate in a virtual training programme designed to equip small and medium enterprises with practical tools to compete and scale in Africa’s evolving single digital marketplace.
The training forms part of the AfCFTA Digital Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Programme, a strategic intervention aimed at closing Africa’s digital skills gap and unlocking new growth pathways for businesses seeking to expand beyond domestic markets. Organizers say the programme is structured to build confidence among entrepreneurs while strengthening their operational capacity in digital trade.
Participating entrepreneurs will gain insights into online market access, digital branding, electronic payment systems, and regulatory considerations for cross border transactions. The programme also seeks to demystify the operational aspects of trading across African borders under the AfCFTA regime, which is gradually reshaping intra African commerce by reducing tariffs and harmonizing trade rules.
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The virtual training will be delivered to entrepreneurs in a wide range of countries including Angola, Cameroon, Cote d Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia. Organizers have indicated that additional countries will be incorporated in subsequent cycles to ensure broader continental inclusion.
The AfCFTA Secretariat views digital readiness as a cornerstone of successful trade integration. As more African consumers and businesses migrate online, the ability of SMEs to adopt e commerce platforms and digital payment systems will determine their competitiveness in regional and global markets.
Google Hustle Academy brings technical expertise and practical training methodologies aimed at enabling entrepreneurs to scale sustainably. By combining policy direction from the AfCFTA Secretariat with hands on digital training, the partnership seeks to foster a more resilient and interconnected SME ecosystem across Africa.
Stakeholders note that Africa’s single digital marketplace presents enormous opportunity but also demands adaptability. Entrepreneurs who embrace digital tools, understand regulatory frameworks, and build cross border networks are expected to be better positioned to thrive in the coming decade.
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Registration details have been made available through official communication channels, with interested participants encouraged to apply promptly. Organizers emphasize that even if a country is not listed in the current cycle, future opportunities will follow as the programme expands.
The initiative marks another significant step toward deepening digital trade integration and positioning African entrepreneurs at the center of the continent’s economic transformation.
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