Emerging Technologies Key to Africa’s Trade Revolution – NITDA DG
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has said that emerging technologies hold immense potential in transforming trade and investment across Africa, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy.
Inuwa made this known while delivering a keynote address—delivered on his behalf by Engr. Salisu Kaka, Director of Digital Economy Development Department—at the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, part of the Science of Trade Conference held in Lagos.
Highlighting the vast opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Inuwa described the recently adopted AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol as a landmark step toward breaking down trade barriers, harmonising regulations, and unlocking new markets. With over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion, he said AfCFTA stands as one of the world’s largest free trade zones.
“Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million and strong entrepreneurial culture, is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s digital transformation,” he noted.
Pointing to innovations such as e-commerce, mobile payments, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms, Inuwa stressed that these technologies are rapidly reshaping the commercial landscape. “From Abuja, I can order products online, conduct due diligence, make payments, and receive deliveries—technology has made trade seamless,” he said.
He described the Hackathon as timely, coming on the heels of the African Union’s 2024 endorsement of the Digital Trade Protocol, which aims to eliminate digital trade barriers across all 54 African nations.
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Inuwa also cited the success of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in adopting digital tools through systems such as the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), which led to a 238% revenue increase between 2017 and 2023. He added that its successor, the Unified Customs Management System, launched in December 2024, has already generated over ₦31 billion, underscoring Nigeria’s leadership in digital trade facilitation.
The Hackathon focuses on five key priority areas: Youth and MSME Inclusion, E-Commerce Adoption, E-Commerce Policy and Trust, Digital Payments, and the E-Commerce Regulatory Sandbox. These, Inuwa said, are sectors where digital tools can significantly enhance trade dynamics and promote equitable growth.
“I’m confident that the Hackathon will spark innovative, scalable solutions to boost intra-African e-commerce, streamline cross-border transactions, and empower MSMEs with digital capabilities to compete globally,” he stated.
In his welcome address, Dr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office—represented by Olusegun Olutayo, Senior International Trade Policy and Law Expert—emphasised that transformation is an ongoing journey. He reiterated the need for collaboration, innovation, and inclusion as Africa moves to establish itself as a hub for digital trade.
Awolowo described AfCFTA as a transformative platform, portraying Africa as a unified market with enormous potential for intra-continental trade, investment, and economic expansion.
“The Hackathon is a tangible step toward implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol. It prioritises inclusion, innovation, and equitable access, generating actionable solutions that bridge policy and practice,” he added.
The conference brought together stakeholders from government, technology, and trade sectors to explore digital innovations that will accelerate Africa’s digital economy and empower the next generation of African innovators.
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