The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to launch a Digital Trust Mark to strengthen consumer confidence and elevate Nigerian businesses to global standards.
The initiative, introduced in partnership with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), will serve as a seal of assurance, enabling Nigerians and enterprises to engage online with greater confidence and enhanced security.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja ahead of the official launch, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, highlighted the existing trust deficit in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and explained how the Digital Trust Mark aims to bridge that gap.
According to him, “Technology is always a double-edged sword. You can use it as a tool or as a weapon. So, as the good guys are using it to increase productivity, cut costs, and improve efficiency in their businesses, the bad guys are also exploiting it to cause harm.
“This is discouraging people from transacting online because of the lack of trust and confidence in online platforms.”
He added, “To address these challenges, we came together with NACCIMA and GIZ to co-design and co-create this initiative—the Nigerian Digital Trust Mark. It’s designed to build trust within our digital ecosystem, where every company, e-commerce platform, business, and government organisation will have a trust seal displayed on their website.”
Inuwa noted that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors to boost the digital economy.
He explained, “The President has been pushing for bold reforms across all economic sectors, including the digital space. This initiative is part of the Renewed Hope agenda, where the public and private sectors work together to develop policies and regulations that build trust within the ecosystem—and where international organisations and development partners can share best practices.”
In his remarks, Sulaiman Adoga Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the National President of NACCIMA, reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to promoting standard compliance and responsible digital practices across industries.
According to him, the initiative will empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as larger corporations to harness technology in ways that foster competitiveness, inclusion, and sustainable growth.
He said, “We are honoured to stand with NITDA at this significant moment in advancing Nigeria’s digital future through the National Digital Trust Mark project.
“This initiative represents a bold and visionary step towards deepening trust, accountability, and resilience in our digital economy. It demonstrates how effective public-private collaboration can accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a trusted, prosperous, and globally recognised digital ecosystem.”
Also speaking, Chinedu Albert, a consultant with GIZ, said the initiative aligns with the African Continental Digital Agreement, which calls on member states to establish trust mechanisms.
He stated, “GIZ Nigeria is proud to support this beautiful initiative. We have implemented similar projects in Rwanda, but I must say that the momentum Nigeria is showing is remarkable.
“This trust mark aligns with global best practices and will improve the competitiveness of Nigerian MSMEs both regionally and globally.”
The Digital Trust Mark is scheduled for official launch on 17 October 2025.