…as Nigeria pushes for digital trade expansion under AfCFTA
The Federal Government has pledged its full support for the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition, a global initiative aimed at fostering innovation in water and environmental management among young Nigerians.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known on Thursday at a press conference in Abuja to announce the call for applications for the competition’s Nigerian edition.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Shettima highlighted the competition’s role in educating young people between the ages of 15 and 20 about water-related challenges.
“This competition is designed to instill awareness and a sense of responsibility among the younger generation regarding water and environmental issues, particularly in the face of climate change,” he said.
He emphasised that the Stockholm Junior Water Prize is distinct from the Stockholm Water Prize, as it specifically targets young people and encourages them to explore solutions to water-related challenges.
“With participation spanning nearly 35 countries and over ten thousand contestants, this competition offers an invaluable platform for the Federal Government to support young innovators addressing pressing water issues,” he added.
Shettima also noted that this year’s event holds particular significance, following discussions from his engagement in Oslo in 2024 and the expected visit of Sweden’s Crown Princess later this year.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Fredrik Åhsberg, Head of Political and Trade Affairs at the Swedish Embassy in Abuja, described the competition as a prestigious global initiative organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute.
He announced that applications for the Nigerian edition will be open from March 27 to May 2, 2025, with regional finals leading up to a national competition at the Swedish Embassy in Abuja.
National Coordinator of the Nigeria Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Mr. Ikechukwu Chinemerem, emphasized that the competition encourages secondary and tertiary school students to develop projects tackling water-related issues.
“This is a crucial step in equipping young minds with the knowledge and skills needed to address water challenges from an early age,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the federal government has reiterated its commitment to accelerating digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and has called on global partners to support its efforts in expanding market access and economic growth.
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Speaking on Thursday at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Aid for Trade Session in Geneva, Switzerland, Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, described Nigeria as a leading regional hub for digital trade.
“Nigeria recognizes digital trade as a key driver of economic diversification. Our goal is to position Nigeria as a regional hub for digital services, streamline trade processes, and expand market access for Nigerian businesses.
With the right policies and infrastructure, Africa can unlock the full potential of its $4.3 trillion market under AfCFTA,” Sheriff stated.
He outlined ongoing initiatives by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment in collaboration with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI UK), including high-impact workshops to enhance state-level exports and leverage digital identity and payment systems for cross-border trade.
“The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has been instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s digital trade agenda.
She recently led discussions with the AfCFTA Secretary-General on strengthening regional trade integration and digital payment systems,” he added.
Sheriff urged the WTO, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to invest in broadband infrastructure, support MSME capacity-building, and enhance seamless cross-border digital payments.
“Nigeria is not just a participant in Africa’s digital trade transformation; we are leading it.
“We welcome global partners to collaborate with us in unlocking Africa’s digital economy,” he said.
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