Does the digital economy sound the death knell for industrialization in developing countries? As manufacturing becomes increasingly automated and skill-intensive, will the traditional pathway to industrialization be eroded? Will the ownership and protection of data reinforce the competitive advantages of the more developed countries in this area? And will this and the broader ‘digital divide’ faced by African and other developing countries mean they risk missing out on the 4th industrial revolution?
On the other hand, digital trade also provides new opportunities for businesses in developing countries to market and sell their products to global audiences, and benefit from online payment and logistics services. These new routes of engagement with the world economy provide considerable opportunities, especially for SMEs, which account for the vast share of developing country businesses. Can these opportunities be used to offset the challenges of the digital economy?
This session develops upon these themes with three core presentations and a dedicated discussant before opening to participation from the floor.
Session Chair:
Mr. Ibrahima Diagne, Chair, African Performance Institute and General Manager, GAINDE 2000
Presenters:
Ms. Karishma Banga, Senior Research Officer, Overseas Development Institute
Dr. Christopher Foster, Research Associate, Oxford Internet Institute and Lecturer in ICT and Innovation, University of Sheffield
Mr. Jamie MacLeod, Trade Policy Fellow, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Discussant:
Mr. Jean-Bertrand Azapmo, Regional Trade Advisor, African Union Commission
