Full Speech Presented at a World Trade Organisation Session on Aid for Trade By Aliyu Bunu
Statement by the Special Assistant to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria on Export Expansion, Mr Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, during the WTO Aid for Trade Session – March 25, 2025
Distinguished WTO Members, Colleagues, and Stakeholders in Digital Trade, It is an honor to participate in this experience-sharing session on fast-tracking digital trade growth. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for this invitation and for its ongoing efforts to facilitate digital trade for developing economies. Nigeria deeply values WTO’s role in shaping global trade policies and supporting the digital transformation of trade across Africa.
I would also like to appreciate the Overseas Development Institute, UK (ODI Global) for its continuous support in promoting the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol. Through our collaboration, we have worked to strengthen digital trade capacity at both the national and subnational levels to ensure Nigeria’s businesses can fully leverage the opportunities presented by AfCFTA.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides access to a $4.3 trillion market and over 1.3 billion consumers. However, exporting to Africa and beyond requires a modernized, technology-driven approach. Nigeria is fully committed to leveraging digital trade as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and regional integration. With over 40% of our GDP driven by services and one of the youngest, most tech-savvy populations in Africa, digital trade offers an immense opportunity for our businesses, particularly MSMEs, fintech innovators, and e-commerce entrepreneurs.
Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria has prioritized digital trade expansion as part of its broader economic diversification and export expansion agenda. The African Union’s endorsement of Nigeria as AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Champion reflects our commitment to implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and ensuring Africa benefits from a seamless, digitally connected economy.
Nigeria’s Digital Trade Strategy and Implementation Efforts
To ensure the effective implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, Nigeria has undertaken key initiatives in policy development, digital infrastructure, trade facilitation, and cross-border payment systems. In addition to these and in support from Overseas Development Institute, UK (ODI Global), we have been able to undertake crucial workshops to aid implement AfCFTA digital trade protocol.
National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS 2020-2030)
- Nigeria’s comprehensive roadmap for digital transformation, ensuring policy alignment with AfCFTA priorities developed by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
National Single Window (NSW) Implementation (Launched April 2024)
- A centralized trade facilitation platform to streamline customs procedures, improve transparency, and reduce trade costs.
Strengthening Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion
- eNaira (Central Bank of Nigeria Digital Currency): Supporting low-cost, secure transactions.
- Zenpay & SMARTAfCFTA Portal: A fintech-driven solution enhancing intra-African trade payments developed by one of Nigeria’s biggest international Bank, Zenith Bank.
Digital Identity for Trade
- The Digital Identity Ecosystem supports secure authentication for e-commerce and online transactions developed by Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
E-Commerce Policy
- Strengthening Nigeria’s e-commerce sector through the National E-Commerce Policy developed by Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Expansion
- Nigeria is positioning itself as a regional hub for outsourcing digital services, leveraging its skilled, youthful workforce. There has been an initiative developed by the Office of the Vice President named “outsource to Nigeria”.
High-Level AfCFTA Roundtable Engagement
- Nigeria recently hosted discussions with the AfCFTA Secretary-General on strengthening digital trade implementation and business outsourcing opportunities.
Capacity Building Through Digital Trade Workshops (With ODI)
- We have successfully hosted two digital trade workshops in partnership with ODI, focusing on the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.
- The first, held last year focused on bringing all stakeholders to develop a consolidated strategy for implementing AfCFTA digital trade protocol. We believe that Nigerian Gov’t. agencies are working in silos and there is need for a consolidated strategy to tap into digital trade opportunities.
- The most recent workshop focused on unlocking state export potential by training state commissioners of ICT and commerce from all subnationals on how to implement the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol at the state level.
- Our upcoming workshop in Q3 of this year, again in collaboration with ODI, will explore how digital identity and payment systems can be leveraged to enhance state-level exports and digital trade participation under AfCFTA.
- These are all efforts to ensure that Nigeria is fully ready to leverage the opportunities presented by AfCFTA.
Key Takeaways from Nigeria’s Last Digital Trade Workshop with ODI
To accelerate AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol implementation, Nigeria’s last digital trade workshop identified the following key priorities:
Raising awareness about digital trade benefits in local languages to ensure inclusivity and widespread adoption.
Investing in digital infrastructure (fast internet, digital literacy, and skills training) through public-private partnerships.
Strengthening Nigeria’s e-commerce ecosystem by supporting homegrown platforms and implementing robust data protection laws.
Expanding access to digital financial services and enhancing cross-border payment systems.
Developing clear, transparent, and consistent policies that actively promote and facilitate digital trade.
To build on these outcomes, Nigeria will be hosting a follow-up digital trade workshop with a specific focus on payment systems for exporters and enhancing digital trade financing.
Challenges in Digital Trade Implementation
Despite our progress, several challenges must be addressed:
Regulatory and Policy Misalignment – Need for harmonized digital trade laws across Africa.
Infrastructure & Broadband Gaps – Digital trade growth requires expanded broadband access, logistics support, and reliable payment systems.
Limited SME Access to Digital Markets – Need for capacity-building, financing, and training programs.
Cybersecurity & Data Protection Risks – Strengthening secure digital transactions and trade authentication.
The Role of WTO in Supporting Nigeria’s Digital Trade Growth
The WTO can play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s digital trade expansion by:
Providing technical assistance to harmonize digital trade regulations under AfCFTA.
Supporting infrastructure investment in broadband, logistics, and trade facilitation systems.
Enhancing SME access to digital trade finance.
Facilitating global market integration for African e-commerce platforms.
Strengthening cybersecurity and consumer protection cooperation to ensure trust in digital transactions.
By leveraging WTO support and AfCFTA’s digital trade framework, Nigeria is committed to driving a digitally inclusive economy that benefits businesses, entrepreneurs, and SMEs across Africa.
Closing Remarks
Nigeria is not just participating in Africa’s digital trade transformation—we are leading it.
We invite WTO, ODI, AfCFTA Secretariat, and development partners to continue supporting us in fast-tracking Africa’s digital trade ecosystem through:
Policy harmonization and regulatory alignment.
Investments in digital infrastructure and cross-border payment systems.
Capacity-building programs for MSMEs and trade regulators.
Enhancing SME access to digital trade finance.
By working together, we can unlock the full potential of Africa’s digital economy and ensure a sustainable, inclusive future for digital trade.
Thank you.
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