The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive strategy to lead Africa’s digital trade revolution within the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) framework. Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced this on Friday during a Stakeholders Summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He stated that the roadmap aims to harness trade as a catalyst for economic growth and continental cohesion in line with AfCFTA objectives.
Shettima highlighted the key components of the roadmap, including the implementation of AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol and the development of expansive technical talent hubs. He emphasised Nigeria’s unique position to spearhead the continent’s technological transformation.
“We are in a prime position as the continent’s largest ICT hub and must lead the way into this new industrial revolution,” Shettima said. “Our collaboration must prioritise comparing our policy initiatives with those of developed economies and refining them to sustain our growth.”
The plan also focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure investments and promoting disruptive innovation and entrepreneurship. Shettima stressed the need for strong synergy between the public and private sectors in implementing the AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol. He assured the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in digital infrastructure and human capital development to drive the process.
“For a sector upon which all others rely, digital technologies are vital, and we cannot afford to slow down,” Shettima said. “Our programmes, from the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) to the ongoing initiative to train three million technical talents (3MTT) by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, to the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), are crucial for our digital economy. They provide avenues to maximise our potential and commit to the Digital Trade Protocol within AfCFTA.”
Earlier, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijjani, noted that the Tinubu administration has been investing significantly in every aspect of the digital trade protocol to harness opportunities in the country and continent at large. He stated that opportunities within the single market area are unprecedented and best harnessed through effective collaboration and networking facilitated by digital technology.
The Special Assistant to the President on ICT Policy, Dr. Salihu Nakande, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima for their commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said laid a solid foundation for the digital transformation journey in the country. He acknowledged their continuous support, which has spurred the discourse on digital transformation leading to a prosperous Nigeria.
