Nigeria has been officially acknowledged as the Digital Trade Champion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol by the African Union (AU).
The AU endorsed Nigeria at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, citing Nigeria’s leadership in digital enterprise and innovation.
Nigeria’s proactive role in advancing the digital trade protocol, adopted in February 2024, was a key factor for the decision, aimed at providing robust framework for Africa’s digital economy.
The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol encompasses eight annexes, such as rules of origin, digital identities, cross-border data transfers, online safety, and financial technology.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said former President of Niger Republic and AU AfCFTA Champion, Mahamadou Issoufou, praised Nigeria’s leadership, particularly for convening the Digital Economy Roundtable in January.
According to a progress report by Issoufou, he stated that, “No organisation, region, or continent has negotiated or adopted such a comprehensive legal instrument on digital trade, positioning the African continent to benefit from the digital economy for innovation and job creation”.
He also highlighted Africa’s growing influence in digital innovation, particularly in mobile banking and financial technology, noting that the protocol would create an enabling environment for young African entrepreneurs.
“The AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade will establish conducive environment for these young people to fully participate in Africa’s digital economy”.
Reflecting on the roundtable in Abuja, he hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration for facilitating discussions with key stakeholders.
“The Roundtable was attended by young pioneers in Fintech, mobile banking and other areas of the digital economy. It was evident from the discussions that young people are eager to take advantage of Africa’s digital economy through the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade”.
