Under the African Continental Free commerce Area (AfCFTA), Vice President Kashim Shettima stated that the government was dedicated to spearheading Africa’s digital commerce strategy.

During the AfCFTA Digital Trade Workshop and Global Market on Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, the Vice President made this statement on behalf of the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole.

“Unlocking State Exports Potential” is the focus of the workshop, which brought together federal and state government representatives, including Commissioners of Trades and Industry and specialists from the private sector.

Shettima claims that Nigeria has established itself as the continent’s center for digital trade thanks to its advancements in digital services, innovation, and commerce.

“Across the continent, our advancements in mobile payments have revolutionized digital transactions, financial inclusion, and cross-border payments,” he said.

Following President Bola Tinubu’s December 2024 commitment in Cape Town to advance the digital commerce agenda for all Africans, Nigeria was named Africa’s Digital commerce Champion.

At the 38th African Union Heads of State Summit, former Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, the AfCFTA Champion, formally acknowledged President Tinubu’s leadership role and commended him.

The vice president also stated during the two-day workshop that Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid, Nigeria’s ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been chosen chairperson of the Committee of Trade and Services Special Session, with effect from this month.

by 2030, from 50% in 2022. Nigeria, which has a robust mobile economy and more than 109 million internet users, is well-positioned to spearhead Africa’s transition to digital commerce, Shettima said.

The digital economy in Africa is predicted to grow from $115 billion in 2020 to $180 billion this year, accounting for 5.2% of the continent’s GDP.

“Programs like the 3 Million Technology Talents Program of the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy, the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative supported by the Office of the Vice President, and the Federal Ministry of Investment’s National Talent Export Program, which was introduced by the President in September 2023, are driving this expansion and creating opportunities for access to top-tier Nigerian talent on a global basis,” he said.