Nigeria has officially presented the results of its inaugural National Digital Trade Survey and Mapping Exercise, unveiling key insights into the nation’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
The groundbreaking survey identifies top digital service sectors and targets key African markets to boost Nigeria’s competitiveness.
The presentation took place during the maiden AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum hosted by the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, Secretariat in Lusaka, Zambia.
As a co-champion of digital trade under the AfCFTA framework, Nigeria’s latest effort marks a significant stride in positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation. The survey is the first of its kind on the continent and has led to the creation of **Africa’s first Digital Services Directory**—a strategic tool to support trade, innovation, and policy-making across digital sectors.
The initiative, driven by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment under the leadership of Minister Jumoke Oduwole, followed a national call for stakeholder submissions launched in April. The ministry sought to ensure inclusive participation from digital entrepreneurs, tech startups, and service providers across the country.
Speaking at the forum, Oduwole emphasized Nigeria’s determination to leverage its digital strengths as a tool for economic expansion and continental integration.
> “I am proud to unveil the findings from Nigeria’s first-of-its-kind digital mapping effort. This snapshot of 17 dynamic sectors provides deep insights into our digital economy and the bold ambitions of its trailblazers,” she said.
Oduwole noted that the survey was designed to:
* Identify and profile Nigeria’s digital service providers,
* Highlight key African markets with high trade potential,
* Inform the country’s digital trade policy framework, and
* Advance Nigeria’s leadership in implementing the **AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade**.
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According to her, the report reveals that Nigeria is not merely a participant in Africa’s digital revolution but a frontrunner shaping its direction.
The mapping exercise covered sectors ranging from fintech and e-commerce to edtech, health tech, logistics, digital marketing, software development, and creative services.
The Digital Services Directory is expected to serve as a reference point for investors, regional partners, and policymakers, while also enabling small businesses to scale across African borders through harmonized regulations and new market access.
This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a globally competitive and inclusive digital economy, one that not only creates jobs but also boosts intra-African trade and Nigeria’s GDP.
The AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum brought together ministers, policymakers, development partners, and private sector leaders from across the continent to discuss frameworks for cross-border digital trade, data governance, e-commerce, and innovation financing.
With this move, Nigeria positions itself as a digital trade leader within Africa’s single market agenda, signaling its intent to convert domestic digital innovation into continental economic power.
NAN
