President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria will deepen cooperation with African countries to strengthen intra-continental trade, improve value addition, and accelerate Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy through digital commerce.
In a message posted on his verified X handle, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday the President said Africa must move beyond policy declarations and focus on practical implementation that delivers real economic benefits to citizens.
He made the remarks while welcoming African policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and technology leaders to Lagos for the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Forum themed “Digital Trade for a Connected African Market.”
Tinubu said Nigeria is committed to dismantling trade barriers, modernising border systems, and integrating African markets through digital tools, stressing that the future of commerce on the continent lies in digital transformation and connectivity.
He noted that Nigeria, as one of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Champions, is already implementing reforms aimed at improving trade efficiency and regional integration.
A key initiative highlighted by the President is the National Single Window system, designed to simplify trade procedures, reduce delays at ports, cut costs, and enhance transparency for importers, exporters, and small businesses.
He also pointed to the Nigeria Customs Service’s B’Odogwu platform, which he said is improving customs operations through faster cargo clearance, better revenue tracking, and reduced bottlenecks at entry points.
Tinubu explained that these reforms are part of a wider digital public infrastructure strategy covering identity systems, digital payments, data governance, and online platforms that connect Nigerian businesses to regional and global markets.
He further revealed that Nigeria, alongside Morocco and Kenya, is piloting the AfCFTA ADAPT framework, aimed at linking national trade systems across Africa and turning policy commitments into practical implementation.
According to him, the AfCFTA provides the market, while digital trade provides the speed and scale needed for African economies to thrive.
The President expressed confidence that Africa’s economic future would be shaped by stronger intra-African trade, value creation from local resources, and deeper digital integration across borders.
