ekShop, the integrated platform by the Bangladesh government’s Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, launches the first-ever e-Commerce hub in Juba, South Sudan, on Monday.
Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry of South Sudan (MTI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ekShop’s local implementation partner BizEx Ltd. were present at the inauguration ceremony.
The hub is a part of the market expansion of South Sudan’s first classified e-commerce platform, Dukaanye.
Developed by ekShop and funded by UNDP, it opens doors of opportunities among entrepreneurs of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dukaanye is working to create employment and develop the capacity of South Sudanese entrepreneurs and its Digital economy ecosystem, which is still in its infancy. While connecting Bangladeshi small and medium merchants with the pan-African e-commerce market.
At the event, honourable Minister for Trade and Industry Mr. Kuol Athian Mawien said, “E-commerce has the potential to enable our country to create opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) led by women and youth who want to participate in emerging markets like AfCFTA for traditionally offline goods that can now be sold online. E-commerce can promote entrepreneurship, contribute to inclusive private sector development, and create jobs. It will be central in connecting our producers to regional and global value chains. This is a proud and historic day.”