Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the digital transformation of trade on the continent, expressing strong support for new recommendations aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and cyber security across African nations.
Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, who represented the country at the AfCFTA Council of Ministers for Trade meeting, confirmed Nigeria’s endorsement of the Committee of Senior Trade Officials’ recommendations.
She emphasized the critical need for robust personal data protection within the digital trade framework, noting that data security is essential to building trust and mitigating cyber-related risks across State Parties.
Oduwole stated, “Nigeria fully supports the Committee of Senior Trade Officials’ recommendations.
“We underscore the value of developing digital infrastructure while ensuring strong data protection to foster trust and prevent fraud and cybercrimes.”
The AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade is expected to significantly enhance the development of African-owned digital platforms and computing facilities, particularly benefiting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across State Parties.
“The Protocol on Digital Trade introduces pragmatic rules that promote digital transformation on the continent while supporting African-owned SMEs in utilizing local digital platforms,” Oduwole added.
The Minister also acknowledged the hard work of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Committee on Digital Trade, and Senior Trade Officials in finalizing the annexes essential to the protocol’s implementation.
She noted that the seamless roll-out of the digital trade protocol will help drive economic growth by boosting trade, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and strengthening the industrial structure of the continent.
