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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has welcomed African policymakers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and private‑sector leaders to Lagos as Nigeria hosts the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2026, urging the continent to shift from written agreements to tangible economic gains for its people.
“I welcome African policymakers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and private sector leaders to Lagos as Nigeria hosts the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2026,” Tinubu said in a post on his verified X handle @officialABAT. He described this year’s forum — themed “Digital Trade for a Connected African Market” — as arriving “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,” the president wrote, adding that Nigeria was “proud to serve as one of Africa’s AfCFTA Digital Trade Champions.”
Tinubu highlighted domestic reforms aimed at supporting trade and reducing costs for businesses. “Through the National Single Window @NSW_Nigeria, we are building a faster, simpler and more transparent trading system that will reduce delays, improve compliance, lower costs, and support our importers, exporters, manufacturers and MSMEs,” he said.
He also pointed to modernisation efforts by the Nigeria Customs Service: “Through B’Odogwu, the Nigeria Customs Service @CustomsNG is modernising customs administration, strengthening revenue assurance, improving cargo clearance, and reducing friction at our borders.”
The president framed these measures as part of a broader digital public infrastructure agenda that includes digital identity, interoperable payments and data governance. “These reforms sit alongside our broader digital public infrastructure agenda: digital identity, interoperable payments, data governance and the growth of platforms that allow Nigerian businesses to serve African and global markets,” he wrote.
Tinubu noted Nigeria is among countries piloting the AfCFTA’s ADAPT framework along with Kenya and Morocco. “With Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco now piloting the AfCFTA’s ADAPT framework, we are moving from policy to practice in connecting our national trade systems across the continent,” he said.
“The AfCFTA gives Africa the market. Digital trade gives that market speed, scale and reach,” the president added, urging regional cooperation: “Nigeria will continue to work with our African brothers and sisters to build a continent that trades more with itself, creates more value for itself, and competes with confidence in the world.”
Tinubu concluded by offering a forward-looking assessment: “The future of African trade is digital, connected and full of promise.”
The AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) seeks to deepen intra‑African trade by reducing tariffs and non‑tariff barriers. The Digital Trade Forum brings together public and private stakeholders to advance digital trade measures, including cross‑border data flows, digital payments and interoperable trade systems.
