Journal Design Emerald Editorial
African E-Governance (Administration focus - Public | 21 June 2026

Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa

The Role of Civil Society
A, b, r, a, h, a, m, K, u, o, l, N, y, u, o, n, (, P, h, ., D, )
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19550140
E-Commerce RegulationCivil SocietyDigital GovernanceEast Africa
Examines civil society's role in shaping e-commerce regulation in East Africa
Focuses on Senegal's institutional mechanisms and policy dynamics
Provides African-specific insights for political science scholarship
Links analysis to practical policy implications for digital governance

Abstract

This article examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society with a focused emphasis on Senegal within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.

Contributions

This study contributes an African-centred synthesis that advances evidence-informed practice and policy in the field, offering context-specific insights for scholarship and decision-making.

Introduction

The introduction of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science ((Barrowclough & Birkbeck, 2022)) 1. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary ((Bhila, 2024)) 2. Analytically, the section addresses set up the problem, context, research objective, and article trajectory ((Díaz-Rodríguez et al., 2023)) 3. Outline guidance for this section is: State the core problem around Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; explain why it matters in Senegal; define the article objective; preview the structure ((Magalhães & Ozai, 2021)). In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary 4. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ). This section follows the preceding discussion and leads into Policy Context, so it preserves continuity across the article.

Policy Context

The policy context of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science ((Díaz-Rodríguez et al., 2023)). This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary ((Magalhães & Ozai, 2021)).

Analytically, the section addresses write the section in a publication-ready way and keep it aligned to the article argument ((Barrowclough & Birkbeck, 2022)). Outline guidance for this section is: Develop a focused argument on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; keep the section specific to Senegal; connect it to the wider article ((Bhila, 2024)).

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ), Developing Developing-Country Tax Systems ).

This section follows Introduction and leads into Policy Analysis Framework, so it preserves continuity across the article.

Policy Analysis Framework

The policy analysis framework of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary.

Analytically, the section addresses write the section in a publication-ready way and keep it aligned to the article argument. Outline guidance for this section is: Develop a focused argument on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; keep the section specific to Senegal; connect it to the wider article.

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ), Developing Developing-Country Tax Systems ).

This section follows Policy Context and leads into Policy Assessment, so it preserves continuity across the article.

Policy Assessment

The policy assessment of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary.

Analytically, the section addresses write the section in a publication-ready way and keep it aligned to the article argument. Outline guidance for this section is: Develop a focused argument on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; keep the section specific to Senegal; connect it to the wider article.

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ), Developing Developing-Country Tax Systems ).

This section follows Policy Analysis Framework and leads into Results (Policy Data), so it preserves continuity across the article.

Results (Policy Data)

The results (policy data) of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary.

Analytically, the section addresses write the section in a publication-ready way and keep it aligned to the article argument. Outline guidance for this section is: Develop a focused argument on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; keep the section specific to Senegal; connect it to the wider article.

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ), Developing Developing-Country Tax Systems ).

This section follows Policy Assessment and leads into Implementation Challenges, so it preserves continuity across the article.

Implementation Challenges

The implementation challenges of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary.

Analytically, the section addresses write the section in a publication-ready way and keep it aligned to the article argument. Outline guidance for this section is: Develop a focused argument on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; keep the section specific to Senegal; connect it to the wider article.

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ), Developing Developing-Country Tax Systems ).

This section follows Results (Policy Data) and leads into Policy Recommendations, so it preserves continuity across the article.

Policy Recommendations

The policy recommendations of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary.

Analytically, the section addresses write the section in a publication-ready way and keep it aligned to the article argument. Outline guidance for this section is: Develop a focused argument on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; keep the section specific to Senegal; connect it to the wider article.

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ), Developing Developing-Country Tax Systems ).

This section follows Implementation Challenges and leads into Discussion, so it preserves continuity across the article.

Discussion

The discussion of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary.

Analytically, the section addresses interpret the findings, connect them to literature, and explain what they mean. Outline guidance for this section is: Interpret the main findings on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; connect them to scholarship; explain implications for Senegal; note practical relevance.

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ), Putting algorithmic bias on top of the agenda in the discussions on autonomous weapons systems ).

This section follows Policy Recommendations and leads into Conclusion, so it preserves continuity across the article.

Conclusion

The conclusion of Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society examines Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society in relation to Senegal, with specific attention to the dynamics shaping the field of Political Science. This section is written as a approximately 214 to 329 words part of the article and therefore develops a clear argument rather than a placeholder summary.

Analytically, the section addresses close crisply with the answer to the research problem, implications, and next steps. Outline guidance for this section is: Answer the main question on Digital Commerce and E-Commerce Regulation in East Africa: The Role of Civil Society; restate the contribution; note the most practical implication for Senegal; suggest a next step.

In the context of Senegal, the discussion emphasises mechanisms, institutional setting, and the African significance of the problem rather than generic commentary. Key scholarship informing this section includes Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution ), Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation ).

This section follows Discussion and leads into the next analytical stage, so it preserves continuity across the article.

References

  1. Barrowclough, D.V., & Birkbeck, C.D. (2022). Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution. Social Sciences.
  2. Bhila, I. (2024). Putting algorithmic bias on top of the agenda in the discussions on autonomous weapons systems. Digital War.
  3. Díaz-Rodríguez, N., Ser, J.D., Coeckelbergh, M., Prado, M.L.D., Herrera‐Viedma, E., & Herrera, F. (2023). Connecting the dots in trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation. Information Fusion.
  4. Magalhães, T.D., & Ozai, I. (2021). Developing Developing-Country Tax Systems. Nordic Journal on Law and Society.