Tinubu Pledges Deeper African Trade Ties Through Digital Commerce

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday pledged that Nigeria would deepen collaboration with other African countries to expand intra-African trade through digital commerce, saying his administration would sustain reforms aimed at dismantling trade barriers, modernising border processes and connecting African markets through technology.

The President made the pledge in a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, while welcoming African policymakers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and private sector leaders to Lagos for the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area Digital Trade Forum.

Tinubu said Africa had reached a defining moment where it must move beyond lofty declarations and begin translating continental agreements into tangible economic opportunities that improve the lives of its people.

“This year’s Forum, themed ‘Digital Trade for a Connected African Market,’ comes at a defining moment. Africa must now move from aspiration to execution, and from agreements on paper to prosperity in the lives of our people,” he wrote.

The President said Nigeria was proud to serve as one of Africa’s AfCFTA Digital Trade Champions, adding that the country was matching that responsibility with concrete policy actions designed to accelerate trade and economic integration across the continent.

According to him, the National Single Window is a cornerstone of his administration’s trade facilitation agenda, explaining that the platform would create a faster, simpler and more transparent trading system by reducing delays, improving regulatory compliance, cutting transaction costs and supporting importers, exporters, manufacturers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Tinubu also highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s B’Odogwu platform, saying it is modernising customs administration through improved revenue assurance, faster cargo clearance and reduced friction at Nigeria’s borders.

He added that the reforms are part of a broader digital public infrastructure programme covering digital identity, interoperable payment systems, data governance and digital platforms that would enable Nigerian businesses to access both African and international markets.

The President further disclosed that Nigeria, alongside Kenya and Morocco, is piloting the AfCFTA’s ADAPT framework to connect national trade systems across Africa, describing the initiative as evidence that the continent is shifting from policy commitments to practical implementation.

“The AfCFTA gives Africa the market. Digital trade gives that market speed, scale and reach,” Tinubu said.

He expressed confidence that Africa’s economic future would be driven by digital trade, adding that Nigeria would continue working with other African countries to build a continent that trades more within itself, creates greater value from its resources and competes with confidence in the global marketplace.