President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening intra-African trade through digital innovation, declaring that his administration is implementing reforms to eliminate trade barriers, modernise border processes and unlock the vast economic potential of the African continent.

 

The President said Nigeria would strengthen collaboration with African countries to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promote value addition across the continent and position African businesses to compete more effectively in the global digital economy.

 

Tinubu stated this in a message posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, as he welcomed policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, innovators and private sector leaders to Lagos for the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Forum.

 

Describing this year’s forum as a watershed moment for the continent, the President said Africa must move beyond signing agreements and focus on practical implementation capable of delivering jobs, investment and shared prosperity.

 

“This year’s Forum, themed ‘Digital Trade for a Connected African Market,’ comes at a defining moment. Africa must now move from aspiration to execution, and from agreements on paper to prosperity in the lives of our people,” he said.

 

Tinubu noted that Nigeria was proud to serve as one of Africa’s AfCFTA Digital Trade Champions, adding that the country was matching that responsibility with bold policy reforms designed to fast-track continental economic integration.

 

He identified the National Single Window project as a key pillar of his administration’s trade facilitation agenda, saying the initiative would simplify cross-border commerce by reducing bureaucratic delays, lowering transaction costs, improving regulatory compliance and creating a more transparent trading environment for importers, exporters, manufacturers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

 

The President also highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s B’Odogwu platform, describing it as a major digital reform that is modernising customs administration through faster cargo clearance, stronger revenue assurance and more efficient border operations.

 

According to him, the initiatives are part of a broader digital public infrastructure strategy that includes digital identity, interoperable payment systems, data governance frameworks and digital platforms designed to connect Nigerian businesses with markets across Africa and beyond.

 

Tinubu further disclosed that Nigeria, alongside Kenya and Morocco, is piloting the AfCFTA’s ADAPT framework, an initiative aimed at linking national trade systems across the continent and accelerating the implementation of the continental free trade agreement.

 

“The AfCFTA gives Africa the market. Digital trade gives that market speed, scale and reach,” the President said.

 

He expressed confidence that digital commerce would become the engine of Africa’s next phase of economic transformation, pledging that Nigeria would continue working with other African nations to build an integrated continental market driven by innovation, increased intra-African trade and globally competitive businesses.