Nigerian government has reaffirmed its leadership in Africa’s digital economy, with the federal government aiming to create 10 million jobs across the continent by the end of 2025 through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Workshop held in Abuja. Shettima emphasized that Nigeria’s designation as Africa’s Digital Trade Champion underscores its progress in digital commerce and innovation, positioning it as a key driver of the continent’s digital transformation.
The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol seeks to increase intra-African trade from 18% in 2022 to 50% by 2030, leveraging Nigeria’s expanding internet economy. With over 109 million internet users and a thriving mobile payments ecosystem, the country is well-placed to drive digital commerce across the continent.
] Shettima highlighted initiatives such as the National Talent Export Programme, the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative, and the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) Programme as pivotal in harnessing Nigeria’s vast digital workforce for global opportunities.
Recognizing Nigeria’s commitment to digital trade, the African Union (AU) officially endorsed the country as the Digital Trade Champion at the 38th AU Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa. This recognition follows President Bola Tinubu’s pledge in December 2024 to champion digital trade for Africa. The AU commended Nigeria’s proactive role in implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, which encompasses key areas such as cross-border data transfers, digital identities, online safety, and financial technology.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, stressed the urgency of embracing digital trade to remain competitive in the global economy. He lauded the federal government’s strides in the ICT sector, noting that digital trade platforms have dismantled traditional barriers, enabling businesses of all sizes to access regional and global markets. He further emphasized Nigeria’s demographic advantage, with 65% of its population under the age of 25, positioning the country as a future digital powerhouse.
Shettima reiterated that Nigeria’s investment in digital infrastructure, including passport modernization and port improvements, is streamlining trade processes and enhancing the nation’s capacity to handle West African cargo. He called for swift implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, urging stakeholders to transition from policy discussions to tangible actions that will accelerate digitally enabled trade and foster economic prosperity across Africa.