Eric Jing, Alibaba Group Director and Executive Chairman of Ant Group, also said in an online discussion hosted by the UNECA that "we want to support SMEs worldwide to recover from the outbreak, resume production and secure orders in their times of need."

"Through the livestream, we look forward to reopening global trade, starting with helping businesses reopen," he went on.

The ECA chief also stressed that "at a time when the world is closing down, it is particularly important that we continue with trade because that's the only way we can build a prosperous world and a prosperous Africa, together with China."

As Africa thinks about building and strengthening its trade with itself, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains the cornerstone of Africa's trade relationship with itself and the world.

With the opening up of the eWTP to more countries on the continent, Africa can do more together to ensure that no one is left behind from the COVID-19 crisis.

First proposed by Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma in 2016, the eWTP has been recognized by the G20 and launched in China, Malaysia, Belgium, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

It is a private sector-led, multi-stakeholder initiative offering SMEs easier access to new markets via simple and straightforward regulations.

It also offers training and support in areas such as e-commerce, logistics, financing, cloud computing and mobile payments.