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At WTO Forum in Geneva, Nigeria Leads Digital Trade Expansion Under AfCFTA, Seeks Global Support
At WTO Forum in Geneva, Nigeria Leads Digital Trade Expansion Under AfCFTA, Seeks Global Support
•Says Africa can unlock full potential of $4.3trn market under AfCFTA
•Backs 2025 Stockholm junior water prize to boost climate adaptation
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The Nigerian government on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), urging global partners to support its efforts to expand market access and economic growth.
Speaking at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Aid for Trade Session in Geneva, Switzerland, Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, said Nigeria was well positioned as a regional digital trade hub.
According to him, “Nigeria recognises digital trade as a critical driver of economic diversification. Our goal is to position Nigeria as a regional hub for digital services, streamline trade processes, and expand market access for Nigerian businesses.
“With the right policies and infrastructure, Africa can unlock the full potential of its $4.3 trillion market under AfCFTA,”
Sheriff explained that in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI UK), Nigeria had launched a series of high-impact workshops aimed at streamlining trade processes, enhancing state-level exports, and leveraging digital identity and payment systems for cross-border commerce.
The presidential aide explained, “The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, has played a key role in advancing Nigeria’s digital trade agenda. She recently led discussions with the AfCFTA Secretary-General on enhancing regional trade integration and digital payment systems.
“Her leadership has been instrumental in aligning Nigeria’s trade policies with AfCFTA’s digital transformation goals.”
Sheriff called on WTO, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to invest in broadband infrastructure, support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) capacity-building, and facilitate seamless cross-border digital payments.
“Nigeria is not just participating in Africa’s digital trade transformation; we are leading it. We invite global partners to collaborate with us in unlocking Africa’s digital economy,” he added.
Similarly, on Thursday, the federal government pledged support for the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition aimed at fostering innovation in water and environmental management among young Nigerians. Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja to announce the call for applications for the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Nigeria.
Hadejia said the competition will get the younger generation between the ages of 15 and 20 acquainted with problems and challenges associated with water at their tender age.
Describing the competition as an opportunity to create awareness within this age bracket, Hadejia said, “There is a Stockholm Water Prize, which is different from the Junior Water Prize – this is specifically targeted at the younger generation between 15 and 20 years old.
“It is essentially to imbibe the culture of awareness and responsibility among the younger generation so that they grow up knowing the rudiments of water and environmental issues, especially in this challenging time of climate change.
“It is an international competition covering almost 35 countries, and I have seen participation in the region of 10,000 and it is a wonderful opportunity for the federal government to lend its weight to this year’s event.”
He stated that this year’s competition was most significant given the discussions that resulted from the vice president’s engagement in Oslo in 2024 and the anticipated visit of the Crown Princess of Sweden later in the year.
Earlier, Head of Political and Trade Affairs, Embassy of Sweden, Abuja, Mr. Fredrik Åhsberg, explained, “The prestigious international competition organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute aims to engage young minds in addressing global water challenges.”
Åhsberg said the call for participation in Nigeria, which would run from March 27 to May 2, 2025, was open to qualified candidates, who were invited to apply for the competition’s regional finals that will be followed by a national final at the Embassy of Sweden in Abuja later in the year.
National Coordinator of the Nigeria Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Mr. Ikechukwu Chinemerem, said the competition was for secondary and tertiary school students between the ages of 15 and 20 to write projects on water-related issues and how it could be solved.
“It is one of the ways to find solutions to water problems and be acquainted with the problems at a young age,” Chinemerem said.
•Says Africa can unlock full potential of $4.3trn market under AfCFTA •Backs 2025 Stockholm junior water prize to boost climate adaptation Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Nigerian government on Thursday
