The African Union (AU) has officially endorsed Nigeria as the Digital Trade Champion for Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol, recognising the country’s pivotal role in advancing digital enterprise and innovation across the continent.
The endorsement was announced at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which concluded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday. The AU commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its proactive approach in driving the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, a landmark agreement adopted in February 2024.
The protocol covers eight key areas essential for Africa’s digital economy, including rules of origin, digital identities, cross-border data transfers, online safety and security, emerging technologies, and financial technology (FinTech).
In his annual report on the progress of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, who serves as the AU’s AfCFTA Champion, praised Nigeria’s leadership in shaping the digital trade agenda.
He specifically highlighted Nigeria’s Digital Economy Roundtable, convened in January 2025, as a defining moment for the continent’s digital transformation.
“No organisation, region, or continent has negotiated or adopted such a comprehensive legal instrument on digital trade, positioning Africa to fully leverage the digital economy for innovation and job creation,” Issoufou stated.
He also emphasised that young Africans are at the forefront of digital innovation, particularly in mobile banking and other technology-driven services, and that the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol would create an enabling environment for them to thrive.
Issoufou commended President Tinubu’s commitment to the digital economy and noted that Nigeria’s January roundtable provided a platform for some of Africa’s leading FinTech pioneers, including Bamboo, Helium Health, Renda, CcHUB, and Vendease, to showcase their contributions to digital trade expansion across the continent.
Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, described the AU’s endorsement of Nigeria as Digital Trade Champion as a milestone that cements the country’s leadership in Africa’s digital transformation journey.
“Africa has demonstrated global leadership by pioneering the first-of-its-kind AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade – establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework,” Oduwole said. “The designation of Nigeria as AfCFTA Digital Trade Champion is a game-changer. It will create millions of jobs for Africa’s tech-savvy youth, contribute billions to the continent’s GDP, and attract substantial investment in public digital infrastructure across African nations.”
Nigeria’s recognition follows President Tinubu’s December 2024 address in Cape Town, South Africa, where he reaffirmed his commitment to championing the digital trade agenda alongside other African leaders.
With this endorsement, Nigeria is now positioned as a key driver of Africa’s digital economy under the AfCFTA framework, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of digital trade across the continent.
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