President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation across Africa by strengthening intra-African trade, promoting value addition and leveraging digital commerce to enhance the continent’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
The President stated this in a message posted on his verified X handle, @OfficialABAT, as he welcomed African policymakers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and private sector leaders to Lagos for the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Forum.
He said his administration would continue implementing reforms designed to remove trade bottlenecks, streamline border procedures and accelerate the digital integration of African markets.
The Nigerian leader stressed that technology-driven commerce remains central to unlocking the full potential of the continent’s economy.
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He explained that Africa has reached a decisive point where it must move beyond lofty declarations and begin translating continental agreements into tangible economic opportunities that improve the lives of its citizens.
“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.
According to him, Nigeria was honoured to serve as one of Africa’s AfCFTA Digital Trade Champions, and that the designation is being reinforced through deliberate policy initiatives aimed at driving trade expansion, regional integration and economic transformation across the continent.
He described the National Single Window as a flagship component of the administration’s trade facilitation reforms.
Cross-Border Trade
President Tinubu noted that the platform is designed to simplify cross-border trade by streamlining procedures, enhancing transparency, strengthening regulatory compliance, lowering transaction costs and improving the ease of doing business for importers, exporters, manufacturers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Nigerian leader also commended the Nigeria Customs Service’s B’Odogwu platform, saying it is transforming customs administration through enhanced revenue collection, more efficient cargo processing and the reduction of operational bottlenecks at the nation’s borders.
The President noted that the initiatives are integral to a wider digital public infrastructure strategy that includes digital identity, interoperable payment systems, robust data governance and digital platforms aimed at expanding Nigerian businesses’ access to African and global markets.
ADAPT Framework
He further revealed that Nigeria, in partnership with Kenya and Morocco, is piloting the AfCFTA’s ADAPT framework to integrate national trade systems across the continent.
He described the initiative as clear evidence of Africa’s transition from policy formulation to practical implementation.
“The AfCFTA gives Africa the market. Digital trade gives that market speed, scale and reach,” President Tinubu said.
He expressed confidence that Africa’s economic future would be driven by digital trade.
President Tinubu added that Nigeria would continue working with other African nations to build a continent that trades more within itself, creates greater value from its resources and competes with confidence in the global marketplace.
