The Federal Government on Friday unveiled a comprehensive strategy to lead Africa’s digital trade revolution within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said this while delivering a keynote address during a Stakeholders Summit held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the roadmap was part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
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This, according to him, will harness trade as a catalyst for economic growth and continental cohesion in line with AfCFTA objectives.
Shettima said Nigeria was in a unique position to spearhead the continent’s technological transformation.
“We are in a vintage 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 prioritise comparisons of our policy initiatives to those of developed economies and fine-tune them to sustain our place and fast-track our growth,” he said.
Shettima outlined key components of the roadmap to include implementation of AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol and the development of expansive technical talent hubs.
“The plan also focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure investments, promoting disruptive innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Shettima stressed the need for strong synergy between the public and private sectors in implementing the AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol.
He assured the Federal Government’s commment to investment in digital infrastructure and human capital development to drive the process.
“For a sector upon which all others rely to survive, digital technologies hold the nation together, and we cannot afford to slow down.
“Our programmes, from the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) to the ongoing intervention to train three million technical talents by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI), are lifelines in our digital economy.
“They offer us an avenue to not only maximise our potential but also commit to the adoption of the Digital Trade Protocol within AfCFTA.”
Earlier the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijjani said the Tinubu administration was investing significantly in every aspect of the digital trade protocol towards harnessing opportunities in the country and continent at large.
According to Tijjani, opportunities that exist within the single market area are unprecedented and could best be harnessed through effective collaboration and networking facilitated by digital technology.
The Special Assistant to the President on ICT Policy, Dr Salihu Nakande, thanked Tinubu and Shettima for their commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
This, he said laid a solid foundation for the digital transformation journey in the country.
He said their continuous support has led to the discourse on digital transformation which would lead to a prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, Mr Kris Kamponi, the Head of Prosperity, British Deputy High Commission, said the United Kingdom is a proud champion of open, free and fair trade, noting that it has positively impacted the UK economy.
He described the Digital Trade in Africa initiative as vital and critical in addressing all of the issues relating to growing prosperity for Africa.
