AfCFTA: Nigeria Moves To Expand Digital Trade, Courts Global Partners
The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), seeking support from global partners to boost market access and drive economic growth.
Aliyu Sheriff, the Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, made this announcement on Thursday at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Aid for Trade Session in Geneva, Switzerland. He emphasized Nigeria’s potential as a regional hub for digital trade, highlighting the country’s strategic position to spearhead Africa’s digital trade agenda.
“Nigeria recognizes digital trade as a critical driver of economic diversification,” Sheriff stated. “Our goal is to establish Nigeria as a regional hub for digital services, streamline trade processes, and provide broader market access for Nigerian businesses.”
He further noted that with the right policies and infrastructure, Africa could unlock the full potential of its $4.3 trillion market under AfCFTA, positioning the continent as a global economic powerhouse.
In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI UK), Nigeria has initiated a series of impactful workshops to enhance trade processes, promote state-level exports, and leverage digital identity and payment systems for cross-border trade.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s digital trade initiatives. Sheriff highlighted her leadership in recent discussions with the AfCFTA Secretary-General to enhance regional trade integration and improve digital payment systems.
Sheriff called on the WTO, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to invest in broadband infrastructure, bolster capacity-building for MSMEs, and facilitate seamless cross-border digital payments.
“Nigeria is not merely participating in Africa’s digital trade transformation; we are leading it,” Sheriff concluded. “We invite global partners to collaborate with us in unlocking the potential of Africa’s digital economy.”
