Nigeria has taken a significant step toward becoming Africa’s digital trade hub following the commencement of the 2026 AfCFTA Week in Abuja and Lagos and the Federal Executive Council’s ratification of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade and its eight technical annexes.
In a policy brief, Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan described the development as a transformative milestone that positions Nigeria to drive cross-border digital commerce, fintech innovation, intellectual property protection, and regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to the renowned legal scholar, the implementation of the Digital Trade Protocol, alongside Nigeria’s National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPSS), will expand market access for Nigerian businesses, strengthen digital infrastructure, simplify cross-border payments, protect local innovations, and empower startups and SMEs to compete across the African continent.
Prof. Ladan noted that hosting the African Council of Ministers on AfCFTA and Businesses further reinforces Nigeria’s strategic leadership in shaping Africa’s digital trade future while unlocking new investment, innovation, and economic opportunities.
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