TradePost webinar - 20 June 2023

The first edition of the UPU TradePost Webinar on 20 June 2023 is under the theme of “Enhancing postal contribution in e-commerce and trade inclusion of MSMEs and under-represented communities in ECOWAS”. The webinar will bring together postal executives from the ECOWAS region, representatives from trade ministries, relevant international and regional organizations (UNCTAD, ECOWAS), and industry experts to discuss the most pressing topics, exchange experiences, and share their insights.

Objectives and expected results

The main objectives of the webinar are to:

  1. provide senior managers and senior officials from Postal Operators and postal regulators in the ECOWAS region with relevant and insightful information on future regional strategy for e-commerce. 
  2. share best practices and concrete examples on trade inclusion of MSMEs and underrepresented communities in Africa.
  3. promote discussion on regulatory challenges of trade facilitation and e-commerce 
  4. promote and showcase UPU projects, solutions, and services

  A report of the event will be published on the UPU website and submitted for reference in regional development initiatives.

Expected Participants

  • Senior executives from postal operators in ECOWAS
  • E-commerce platforms and e-sellers
  • Regulators from different fields (postal, communications, financial, trade, etc.)

Interpretation 

Interpretation is available in French and English

Speakers

Mr Marjan Osvald

UPU Deputy Director General


Mr Isaac Gnamba Yao

CEO of La Poste de Côte d'Ivoire - Chairman of the UPU Council of Administration

Mr Siva Somasundram

Director of Policy, Regulation and Markets - UPU

Mrs Martine Julsaint Kidane

 Economic affairs officer - Digital Economy Capacity Building Section, UNCTAD


Mr Talkmore Chidede

 Digital Trade Expert - AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union

Mr Adama Diouf

Executive Secretary CEPEAO



Mrs Marie Nde Sene

Program Officer e-Applications & e-Government - ECOWAS

Agenda (All times are CET / UTC+2)

11:00 – 11:15

Opening of the Forum

Keynote Address: Mr Marjan Osvald, UPU Deputy Director General 

Moderator:  Mr. Isaac Gnamba-Yao, CEO of La Poste de Côte d'Ivoire, Chairman of the UPU Council of Administration 

11:15 – 11:30

Postal Trade Facilitation and SME Enablement

Mr Siva Somasundram, Director of Policy, Regulations and Markets
11:30 – 11:45

E-commerce situation in ECOWAS – eT Ready assessments

Mrs Martine Julsaint Kidane, Economic affairs officer, Digital Economy Capacity Building Section, UNCTAD

11:45 – 12:00

The role of the AfCFTA in facilitating intra-African trade and the role of the Postal sector

Mr. Talkmore Chidede, Digital Trade Expert, AfCFTA Secretariat, African Union

12:00 – 12:15

Postal contribution for e-commerce and trade facilitation in ECOWAS

Mr Adama Diouf, Executive Secretary CEPEAO

12:15 – 12:30

ECOWAS e-commerce strategy and the potential role played by the postal sector in its development, 

Mrs Marie Nde SENE, Program Officer e-Applications & e-Government, ECOWAS 

12:30 – 12:45

Case study: The Post of Côte d’Ivoire’s contribution to the trade and e-commerce inclusion of MSMEs underrepresented communities 

Mr Jean Kacou Adueni, Director of Projects and Prospects, La Poste de Côte d’Ivoire

12:45 – 13:00
Roundtable / Q&A
13:00 – 13:10
Conclusions

Register

Register at this link