Fed govt unveils roadmap for Africa’s digital revolution under AfCFTA

Vice-President Kashim Shettima

Fed govt unveils roadmap for Africa’s digital revolution under AfCFTA

The federal government has launched a comprehensive strategy to lead Africa’s digital trade revolution under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the plan on Friday, July 19, highlighting Nigeria’s position as the continent’s largest ICT hub and its potential to spearhead technological transformation.

A statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Information, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, indicated that the strategy is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to harness trade as a catalyst for economic growth and continental cohesion in line with AfCFTA objectives.

Shettima gave his highlight while delivering the keynote address during a Stakeholders Summit with the theme: “Digital Trade in Africa: The Renewed Hope Strategy,” held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“We are in a vantage position because we are the continent’s largest ICT hub, and as such, we must lead the way to the future of this peculiar wave of the Industrial Revolution.

“Our collaboration must prioritize comparisons of our policy initiatives to those of developed economies and fine-tune them to sustain our place and fast-track our growth,” the Vice President stated.

Shettima outlined key components of the roadmap to include the implementation of AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol and the development of expansive technical talent hubs.

READ ALSO:

He said their continuous support has led to the discourse on digital transformation which will equally lead to a prosperous Nigeria.

Quoting the Vice President in his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, Dr. Nakande said: “Looking ahead, there is a need for speed and cohesion among African countries, the idea of AfCFTA must be revived and there is no hope in keeping waiting in this world, we must act swiftly and together ensure that the AfCFTA succeeds.

“We will explore how the digital economy and AfCFTA can transform Nigerian trade, boost economic growth, support livelihoods and improve the lives of our citizens.”

According to him, Nigeria is projected to be a 1 trillion-dollar economy by 2026 and to achieve this, a digital economy is necessary, even as he noted that the next step in Nigeria’s digital future is regional integration, aligning with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa, supported by Digital Protocol.

On his part, the Head of Prosperity, British Deputy High Commission, Mr Kris Kamponi, said the United Kingdom is a proud champion of open, free and fair trade, noting that it has positively impacted the UK economy.

He said the Digital Trade in Africa initiative is vital and critical in addressing all of the issues relating to growing prosperity for Africa.

In her presentation, a Senior Research Officer at ODI, Dr Prachi Agarwal, commended Nigeria for its visionary approach and leadership in prioritizing digital trade, pledging the organisation’s commitment to supporting the operationalization of the AfCFTA.

She said the ODI firmly believes in the transformative potential of digital technology, especially in unlocking market opportunities through the AfCFTA framework; hence, its resolve to partner with stakeholders in the project.

Also present at the event were the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Pius Akutah; Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa; Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Magaji; Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Charles Odii; Managing Director of Nigeria Commodity Exchange, Mr Anthony Atuche, and representatives of development partners, among others.