FG unveils blueprint for Africa’s digital trade transformation

• Published On: 21 July 2024 at 14:58

The Federal Government of Nigeria announced on Friday a comprehensive strategy to lead Africa's digital commerce revolution, in line with the African Continental Free commerce Agreement framework.

The project is a significant component of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to use trade as an engine of economic progress and continental unity, in accordance with AfCFTA's goals.

"Nigeria is in a unique position to spearhead the continent's technological transformation," Vice President Kashim Shettima stated in a statement published on X (previously Twitter).

According to Shettima, the approach includes adopting the AfCFTA's Digital Trade Protocol, creating technical talent clusters, increasing digital infrastructure investments, and encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.


He made this statement while making a keynote lecture at a stakeholders event titled "Digital Trade in Africa: The Renewed Hope Strategy" at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Shettima emphasized the importance of public-private sector collaboration and pledged to continue the government's investment in digital infrastructure and workforce development.

Bosun Tijjani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasized the Tinubu administration's significant investments in all parts of the digital trade protocol, which aim to capitalize on prospects both in Nigeria and throughout the continent.


He explained how new policies and programs, such as the 3 Million Technical Talent Program, the Data Protection Policy, and increasing investments in digital infrastructure, were preparing Nigeria's young people for current and future prospects.

Tijjani emphasized the importance of technology in enabling trade across Africa, stating that the unprecedented prospects inside the single market area could be best realised through effective collaboration and networking facilitated by digital technology.