FG restates commitment to speed up digital trade
The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, Aliyu Sheriff, stated this on Thursday at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Aid for Trade Session in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr Sheriff, who said that Nigeria was well positioned as a regional digital trade hub, urged global partners to support its efforts in expanding market access and economic growth.
He said, “Nigeria recognises digital trade as a critical driver of economic diversification. Our goal is to position Nigeria as a regional hub for digital services, streamline trade processes, and expand market access for Nigerian businesses.
“With the right policies and infrastructure, Africa can unlock the full potential of its $4.3 trillion market under AfCFTA.’’
Mr Sheriff explained that in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI UK), Nigeria has launched a series of high-impact workshops.
He said that the workshops were aimed at streamlining trade processes, enhancing state-level exports, and leveraging digital identity and payment systems for cross-border commerce.
He noted, “The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has played a key role in advancing Nigeria’s digital trade agenda. She recently led discussions with the AfCFTA secretary-general on enhancing regional trade integration and digital payment systems. Her leadership has been instrumental in aligning Nigeria’s trade policies with AfCFTA’s digital transformation goals.’’
Mr Sheriff called on the WTO, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to invest in broadband infrastructure, support MSME capacity-building, and facilitate seamless cross-border digital payments.
He added, “Nigeria is not just participating in Africa’s digital trade transformation; we are leading it. We invite global partners to collaborate with us in unlocking Africa’s digital economy.’’
(NAN)
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