In March 2018 a landmark agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, covering trade in goods and services, was signed in Kigali. This Agreement includes a built-in agenda for a second phase of negotiations on competition policy, intellectual property rights and investment. However, if the African Continental Free Trade Area is to fulfil its potential in transforming African economies, it must also include a clear digital strategy. This has led to discussions on whether e-commerce should be included in the second phase of negotiations. At the same time, although the digital economy and the dynamism generated by digital trade solutions create significant opportunities, they also present challenges that will need to be addressed in a way that is inclusive, transparent and consistent with people-centred governance and the attainment of human rights.It is against this background that ECA, OHCHR and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung agreed to collaborate on assessing the inclusion and human rights implications of digital trade in the context of trade policy in Africa, which is underpinned by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The present publication is a result of that collaboration.