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.

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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The inaugural AfCFTA Hackathon 2025 has kicked off in Lagos, Nigeria, with over 200 youth in Tek from across Africa vying for the N20 million grand prize.

The competition, part of the ongoing Science of Trade (SOT) Conference 2025, features applicants from Nigeria, the Gambia, Malawi, Ghana, Niger, and Algeria.

Speaking at the event’s opening on Thursday, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, described the Hackathon as a groundbreaking initiative that advances opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

Awolowo, who was represented by Olusegun Olutayo, the Senior Trade Expert/Lead at the Coordination Office, emphasized the event’s significance, stating: “By fostering innovation through digital platforms, we are enabling businesses to thrive in a borderless, tech-driven marketplace.”

He challenged participants to develop cutting-edge technological solutions that streamline regional trade and cross-border transactions across Africa.

“This high-impact challenge aims to accelerate digital trade within Nigeria and across Africa, supporting the practical implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol,” he added. “The Hackathon demonstrates technology’s potential to bridge gaps, streamline trade, and propel Africa’s economic integration in the digital era.”

Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), noted the Hackathon’s timeliness, given Africa’s growing demand for digital solutions to facilitate seamless cross-border payments and trade.

Represented by Dr. Salisu Kaka, Director of e-Government and Digital Economy Development, Kashifu stated that the initiative aligns with the extant provisions of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol and NITDA’s mandate to unlock new frontiers in digital trade.

Dr. Inya Lawal, convener of the SOT Conference, expressed optimism about the Hackathon’s prospects, praising the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office for championing the initiative.

Meanwhile, Adeboyejo Seun, Chief Product Officer at GFA Technologies, revealed the participant breakdown: 209 qualified Nigerians, alongside 5 from the Gambia, 3 from Malawi, 2 from Ghana, 1 from Niger, and 1 from Algeria.

The AfCFTA Hackathon is organized by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office in partnership with Ascend Studios Foundation, Cherith-Code Concept, NITDA, GFA Technologies, Amazon Web Services and others as part of the SOT Conference 2025—an annual tech and digital ecosystem event.

The AfCFTA Hackathon continues until Saturday 3rd May, 2025.

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In a bold move to deepen the implementation and unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Nigeria, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, under the leadership of the National Coordinator, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, has endorsed the launch of the first-ever AfCFTA Hackathon in Nigeria with N20 million grand prize.

The initiative, led by Cherith-Code Concept Ltd, an International Trade Consortium, is supported by a powerful coalition of partners, including Ascend Studios Foundation, Amazon Web Services, GFA Technologies, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Real Sources Africa, a Kenya-based company. This annual, high-impact project will focus on unpacking the opportunities presented by the newly adopted AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP).

According to Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert and Lead at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, who also serves as Director of the Nigerian AfCFTA-Hackathon Project, the Hackathon is an innovative, tech-driven challenge specifically designed with Nigeria’s enterprising youth in mind. It aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, aiming to strengthen Nigeria’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Olutayo further emphasized that the initiative will expand opportunities under the AfCFTA framework, empowering Nigerian innovators to explore and dominate the continental market through digital trade. The platform will serve as a hub for developing competitive, practical, and innovative solutions to power digital trade across Africa.

Held as a flagship event at the Science of Trade (SOT) Conference 2025, hosted by Ascend Studios Foundation, the maiden AfCFTA Hackathon is set to take place from May 1–3, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and tech innovation hub.

Dr. Inya Lawal, Convener of the SOT Conference, expressed enthusiasm about the Hackathon’s transformative potential and the partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office. The COO of Cherith-Code Concept says the Hackathon marks a pivotal shift in how Africa approaches digital trade. It sparks practical innovations that shape the continent’s economic future.

Described as the first-of-its-kind on the continent, the Hackathon seeks to drive the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, positioning Nigeria as a trailblazer in Africa’s evolving digital trade environment.

This initiative builds on the success of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol workshops held in Lagos and Abuja in 2024, themed “Preparedness for AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol”, and attended by key stakeholders from the digital trade ecosystem.

The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, is expected to attend the SOT Conference 2025 as a Special Guest. He will deliver a keynote address, serve on the Hackathon Jury Panel, and offer mentorship and strategic policy guidance during the event.

Expected Outcomes of the AfCFTA Hackathon Include:

Development of innovative digital trade solutions to streamline cross-border transactions, payments, and logistics, boosting intra-African trade.

Promotion of regulatory harmonization across AfCFTA member states.

Acceleration of AI-driven and fintech innovations to empower African SMEs and startups.

Strengthening of public-private partnerships to build a secure, efficient digital trade ecosystem across Africa.

The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office invites all stakeholders, innovators, and tech enthusiasts to participate in this historic event.

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