Nigeria Digital Trade Strategy

Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (AITCR) a trade, investment, policy and knowledge-based organisation for the African market in collaboration the International Economic Development Group at ODI Global, under the Supporting Investment and Trade in Africa (SITA) programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom produced the first comprehensive report on Digital Trade Strategy for Nigeria, 2025. The strategy, developed in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade, seeks to position Nigeria as a powerhouse in Africa’s digital economy.

The multidisciplinary team from ODI Global, International Economic Development Group and AITCR delivered the project includes Sand Mba-Kalu, Executive Director of AITCR, provides a bold roadmap for leveraging Nigeria’s youthful, tech-savvy population to unlock opportunities in business process outsourcing (BPO), e-commerce, and the inclusion of women and youth in digital trade. With the AfCFTA opening up a market of 1.4 billion people, this initiative offers a clear path to boost income, employment, and trade for the continent’s largest economy.

As a lead contributor, AITCR brought deep research expertise and policy insights, helping map Nigeria’s digital trade ecosystem and identifying the gaps and reforms needed. The report reflects evidence-based insights that capture stakeholder perspectives across the public and private sectors, including regulators, ministry officials, fintech leaders, and SMEs.

Key Findings

The report identifies the following as critical to Nigeria’s digital trade transformation:

• Untapped Digital Potential: With a large, youthful, English-speaking population and a growing tech ecosystem, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become Africa’s digital trade leader.
• Impact of DTP on Nigeria: Full adoption of the AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol could increase Nigeria’s GDP by up to 12.79%, employment by up to 40.9%, and exports by up to 59.79%.
• Barriers Identified: Infrastructural deficits, fragmented regulations, weak digital literacy, and limited access to finance continue to hinder digital trade growth.
• BPO Sector Promise: Nigeria can become a regional hub for outsourcing services, building on existing firms and youth talent through AI-driven services and targeted capacity building.
• E-Commerce and Inclusion: Strengthening digital payments, consumer protection, and logistics is key to supporting MSMEs, particularly those led by women and youth.

Recommendations

The report, offers the following strategic policy directions:

1. National Digital Trade Strategy

• Develop a unified, inclusive strategy aligned with AfCFTA and DTP protocols.
• Prioritise stakeholder engagement from public, private, and civil society actors.

2. Boost the BPO Sector

• Launch a national BPO destination guide and skill-building programs.
• Leverage AI and cloud infrastructure for competitive service delivery.

3. Strengthen E-Commerce Ecosystem

• Improve digital infrastructure and last-mile logistics.
• Promote secure digital payments and consumer trust mechanisms.

4. Empower Women and Youth

• Implement national strategies for digital inclusion and gender-responsive trade.
• Offer trade incentives, affordable internet, and mentorship programs for youth and women-led MSMEs.

5. Enhance Regulatory Frameworks

• Harmonise data governance legislation with AfCFTA standards.
• Ensure enforcement of data protection, e-signature, and copyright laws.

6. Public–Private Partnerships

• Foster collaborations for infrastructure investment, fintech innovation, and cross-border trade facilitation.

Conclusion

The ODI Global Report marks a significant step towards Nigeria’s goal of leading Africa’s digital trade transformation. AITCR’s role in this historic policy development demonstrates its growing influence as a key voice in African trade research and economic policy. Through its collaborative research, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, AITCR is assisting Nigeria and Africa in building a future where digital trade fosters inclusive growth, innovation, and economic resilience.

Reference

Agarwal, P., Mba-Kalu, S., Tayo, T., and Oladapo, A. (2025). Developing a Digital Trade Strategy in Nigeria. ODI Global Report. London: ODI Global. https://odi.org

Download the full report here

Author: AITCR 3