Nigeria has taken another significant step towards advancing digital trade across Africa with the inauguration of the Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade (ADAPT) Country Implementation Forum/Subcommittee.
The strategic platform is aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs. Patience Okala, described the establishment of the forum as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital trade journey.
She noted that it underscores the country’s determination not only to participate in Africa’s growing digital economy but also to play a leading role in shaping its future.
Mrs. Okala credited the progress recorded under the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol to the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who serves as Nigeria’s AfCFTA Champion and Chairperson of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers.
According to her, under the minister’s leadership, Nigeria has consolidated its position as a continental leader in digital trade by becoming the first State Party to ratify the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, emerging as Co-Champion of the Protocol, successfully hosting the second AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Abuja, and driving practical implementation through sustained regulatory engagement and stakeholder collaboration across Africa.
The National Coordinator explained that ADAPT is a flagship initiative of the AfCFTA Secretariat designed to facilitate seamless cross-border trade by integrating digital identity systems, customs processes, payment platforms, logistics, documentation, data exchange and trade services into a secure and interoperable digital infrastructure.
She noted that as Africa shifts from negotiating the AfCFTA Agreement to implementing it, the continent’s competitiveness will increasingly depend on the efficiency of its trading systems rather than solely on production capacity.
“Digital systems that reduce transaction costs, accelerate border processes, improve transparency and strengthen trust will determine how successfully African businesses compete in regional and global markets,” Mrs. Okala said.
She described Nigeria’s selection, alongside Kenya and Morocco, as one of the pilot countries for the ADAPT Framework as a strong endorsement of the country’s digital ecosystem, institutional capacity and leadership role under the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.
According to her, the designation also places a responsibility on Nigeria to contribute meaningfully to the development of Africa’s digital trade architecture.
Mrs. Okala stressed that the successful implementation of ADAPT would require close collaboration among government institutions responsible for trade, customs, digital identity, ICT, payments, logistics, data protection, standards, certification and regulatory oversight, as well as active participation from the private sector.
She said the initiative is expected to simplify trade documentation, facilitate trusted digital identities, improve cross-border payment systems, strengthen logistics, reduce the cost of doing business and expand market access for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women-owned businesses, youth-led enterprises and innovators across the African continent.
She further stated that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by promoting economic diversification, digital transformation, trade expansion, investment promotion, innovation and job creation.
Calling on members of the newly inaugurated forum to approach their assignment with commitment and technical diligence, Mrs. Okala said the committee would develop a practical roadmap for implementing ADAPT in Nigeria while identifying and addressing regulatory gaps that could impede digital trade.
She emphasised that Nigeria’s contribution to the continental initiative would depend largely on the expertise, collaboration and shared commitment of all participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Mrs. Okala also acknowledged the continued technical support provided by the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, describing their partnership as instrumental to Nigeria’s implementation efforts.
She expressed appreciation to all government institutions represented at the event for their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital trade ecosystem.
Declaring the ADAPT Country Implementation Forum/Subcommittee formally inaugurated, Mrs. Okala expressed confidence that the committee would play a pivotal role in building the digital infrastructure required to make African trade faster, smarter, more secure and more inclusive while reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol.