July 29, 2025 (Arta, Republic of Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened the inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting for the Horn of Africa Digital Market Integration (HDMI) Project, Phase I, from 28 to 29 July 2025 in Arta, Republic of Djibouti. The meeting brought together representatives from IGAD Member States, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and IGAD’s pool of experts ,to review implementation progress and adopt key strategic directions for the region’s digital integration agenda.
Funded by the AfDB and in-kind contribution by the IGAD and executed by IGAD through its Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration Division (ECRID), the HDMI Project is a flagship initiative aimed at accelerating regional economic integration, by supporting development of a single digital market in the Horn of Africa region, towards gradual implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)Agreement. Phase I of the HDMI project targets Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan, focusing on digital trade, e-commerce, data economy and digital trust promotion.
Opening the meeting on behalf of the IGAD Executive Secretary H.E Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Mr. Ismail Guyo, Head of Trade, Industry and Tourism at IGAD, underscored the strategic importance of the project, noting its potential to unlock market opportunities, by enhancing digital transformation, regional integration, and thus stimulate economic growth, and foster sustainable development across the IGAD region.”
Participants deliberated on the HDMI project 2025 Annual Work Plan , Procurement Plan and budget, reviewed the Terms of Reference of the Steering Committee, and shared national experiences on digital transformation. The meeting endorsed the project’s implementation roadmap and adopted specific recommendations to enhance coordination, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of results.
The PSC, chaired by the Director of ECRID, plays a vital oversight and policy guidance role in the implementation of HDMI project. Its membership includes representatives from participating countries (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan), non-participating Member States (Kenya, Uganda), IGAD Secretariat divisions, and the IGAD Business Forum.
With its emphasis on digital technology and infrastructure, regulatory harmonisation, cybersecurity, and digital entrepreneurship, the HDMI Project will play a central role in reducing administrative and commercial transaction costs, improving service delivery, and supporting inclusive growth across the Horn of Africa, especially for women and youth.
