International Trade in Services and the Lesotho Economy: An e-commerce perspective

This policy brief, presented at a research seminar organized by the National University of Lesotho – WTO Research Chair, explores the role of international trade in services, with a particular focus on e-commerce and its implications for the Lesotho economy and broader African development.
The brief highlights the global rise of mobile-based e-commerce, contrasting it with Africa’s lagging digital infrastructure and limited market participation. Despite the continent’s challenges—such as low internet penetration, slow broadband speeds, and minimal presence in global digital platforms—e-commerce is seen as a transformative tool for economic growth.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations are positioned as a key opportunity to address these deficits. The upcoming Digital Trade Protocol under AfCFTA is expected to create a harmonized regulatory environment that promotes investment, digital inclusion, and socio-economic cohesion across African nations.
The brief concludes with a call for African countries to recognize the cross-sectoral and unifying potential of the Digital Trade Protocol, emphasizing its importance in fostering development and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.