Digital trade: Harnessing the Commonwealth Advantage

Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network

The world is bracing for a massive hit to the global economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. However gradually reviving trade flows amongst the 54 Commonwealth member countries can play a key role in boosting economic recovery, while harnessing the benefits of Commonwealth ties. Rapid population and per capita income growth (especially in Asia) are part of the driving forces behind the Commonwealth’s buoyancy. With 2.4 billion people, 60% of whom are under the age of 30, these drivers are unlikely to slow anytime soon – with or without coronavirus. Add to that the fact that bilateral costs for trading partners in Commonwealth countries are on average 20% less, then the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’ becomes clear.

Against a backdrop of the pandemic’s economic impacts, this panel will explore the potential for technology to drive intra-Commonwealth trade which have had a boost from several initiatives during the UK Government’s term as Commonwealth Chair since 2018. It will also anchor the discussion in the key messages from The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2020: The New Normal for the Global Startup Economy and the Impact of COVID-19 from Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

The event will include the announcement of the first e-marketplace in the Commonwealth’s history from women: the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network Kenya Christmas Online Exhibition with over 1,000 exhibitors from 47 Counties in Kenya and 6 Countries (23-28 November 2020). This is a pilot for a Commonwealth-wide CBWN Winter Fair in 2021.  

Panel

  • Terfa Ashwe, National Coordinator, SheTrades Commonwealth Nigeria
  • Rose Magas, CEO, Rova Digital, Kenya and CTO, CBWN
  • Nana Wanjau, Chair, CBWN Kenya
  • Ngozi Oyewole, Managing Director of Noxie Limited and COO, CBWN Nigeria
  • Jeanne Francoise Mubirigi, Chairperson, Rwanda Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs and Chair, CBWN Rwanda
  • Other women CEOs from the GEN Global community including from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Rwanda