President Bola Tinubu was commended at the 8th African Union Summit for successfully implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area Digital Trade Protocol, which aims to simplify digital transactions and strengthen economic integration across Africa.
A statement from the Ministry of Trade and Industry revealed that former President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, praised President Tinubu’s efforts during his presentation of an annual report on the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.
Issoufou commended the Tinubu administration for its efforts, including the High-level Roundtable on Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation, which was held in Abuja on January 16, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The statement read, “In his address, (former) President Issoufou commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the Federal Republic of Nigeria for taking steps towards implementation, including organising a round table highlighting the Protocol.
“In January 2025, Nigeria hosted the AfCFTA Secretary-General and convened a roundtable on trade in goods and services, featuring leading Nigerian FinTech innovators such as CcHUB, Norebase, Helium Health, Renda, Vendease and Bamboo. These companies shared their tech-driven business solutions, demonstrating Nigeria’s pioneering role in digital trade expansion across Africa.”
The statement also acknowledged President Tinubu’s call for collaboration on digital trade with other African countries.
It noted that during his address in Cape Town, South Africa, in December 2024, President Tinubu expressed his commitment to working with other African nations on the digital trade agenda for the collective benefit of all Africans.
“This recognition further reinforces Nigeria’s role as a key driver in shaping Africa’s digital economy under the AfCFTA framework,” the statement noted.
The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol is an agreement among AfCFTA member states aimed at creating a seamless and secure digital commerce system by harmonizing digital trade regulations across Africa. It was officially adopted at the 37th African Union Heads of State Summit, held on February 17–18, 2024.
For the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol to take effect, at least 22 member states must ratify it. Following ratification, these states will have up to five years to implement its provisions, which include data governance, cybersecurity, and digital payments.
