Digitalization and artificial intelligence-powered transparency on trade-related regulations for gender-sensitive policymaking in Africa

Trade policy can have disproportionate effects on women traders and entrepreneurs, as well as posing risks to the health and well-being of women through products and sectors where women are heavily involved. However, a lack of transparency in trade-related regulations increases trade costs and remains a major obstacle to designing evidence-based gender-sensitive trade policy. 

Enhancing regulatory transparency would greatly benefit four African countries — The Gambia, Kenya, Namibia and Zambia — because they are deeply reliant on trade to fuel their economies and because women make up a substantial share of the labour force.

Objective

The project aims to strengthen the capacity of four African countries to improve transparency on trade-related regulations through digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in order to better develop gender-sensitive trade policies.

Activities

Building on experience related to non-tariff measures in Africa, the project will be rolled out in two phases:

1. Develop and integrate AI-powered features into digital transparency tools to collect, analyse and disseminate information on trade-related regulations in a more efficient manner.
2. Train policymakers in using these tools to improve access to information and support gender-sensitive policy-making.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), while engaging with Resident Coordinator Offices in each beneficiary country.

Expected results

The expected results of the project include:

1. AI-powered digital system to gather updated and quality information on trade-related regulations
2. Recommendations on gender-sensitive trade policy
3. Strengthened capacity of beneficiary countries to advance gender-sensitive trade policy-making

Beyond direct results, the project will contribute to broader UN efforts on AI-driven data collection, with potential applications in other areas. It aligns with the UN 2.0 vision, positioning AI as a transformative tool for data transparency and policy-making.

Link to the SDGs

The project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 1.4 – Equal rights to economic resources and access to basic services: By improving access to information on trade-related regulations and supporting more inclusive access to economic opportunities.
• SDG 5.b – Enhance the use of enabling technology to promote the empowerment of women: By leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence to support women’s empowerment and gender-sensitive trade policymaking.
• SDG 8.2 – Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation: By promoting technological upgrading, innovation and productivity gains through digitalized regulatory transparency tools.
• SDG 16.6 – Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels: By strengthening regulatory transparency and improving access to trade-related information for evidence-based policymaking.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: By fostering collaboration among UN entities, national policymakers and other stakeholders in project implementation.