President Bola Tinubu has strongly advocated for a massive shift toward digital integration and stronger intra-African commerce to drive the continent’s next phase of economic transformation.

Welcoming delegates to the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Forum in Lagos, Tinubu emphasized that the future of African commerce lies in moving from “aspiration to execution”.

Key Pillars of the Digital Trade Drive

To transition from paper agreements to actual economic prosperity, Nigeria is positioning itself as a “Digital Trade Champion” through several active domestic and regional reforms:

1. Modernizing Border Processes & Logistics

• National Single Window: This cornerstone initiative streamlines trade by reducing bureaucratic delays, cutting transaction costs, and enhancing transparency for manufacturers, importers, and MSMEs.
• B’Odogwu Platform: A digital overhaul implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service to accelerate cargo clearance, tighten revenue assurance, and significantly reduce operational friction at national borders.

2. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

Nigeria is actively implementing a broader DPI strategy designed to make cross-border commerce seamless. This includes: