Nigeria has intensified efforts to position itself as the gateway for Africa’s digital economy, with government officials and African trade leaders calling for faster implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol to unlock a market of over 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion.
The call was made at the second edition of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2026, held yesterday at the National Theatre in Lagos under the theme, “Digital Trade for a Connected African Market.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said Africa’s future competitiveness will depend on how quickly governments create an enabling environment for businesses to trade seamlessly across borders using digital platforms.
She noted that while the AfCFTA agreement had laid the foundation for continental integration, its real success would depend on the ability of businesses to expand beyond national borders without regulatory or payment barriers.
“When we talk about trade, we often think about ports, highways, rail corridors and shipping routes. Those investments remain essential, but trade is changing.” According to the minister, Nigeria accepted the role of Co-Champion of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol because of its belief that digital commerce will accelerate Africa’s economic integration.
