Tinubu Earns Praise at AU Summit for Advancing AfCFTA’s Digital Trade Protocol

President Bola Tinubu received widespread recognition for Nigeria’s significant efforts in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol during the 38th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Tinubu’s leadership has been pivotal in promoting digital trade across the continent, a vital component of the AfCFTA framework.

Mahamadou Issoufou, AfCFTA Champion and former President of Niger, commended Tinubu’s proactive approach to implementing the Digital Trade Protocol. Issoufou highlighted that the protocol now has eight completed annexes, making it the first of its kind globally. This achievement was a focal point in Issoufou’s annual report to the AU Assembly.

A key moment in Nigeria’s contributions was the high-level roundtable hosted in January 2025, which brought together AfCFTA stakeholders, including the AfCFTA Secretary-General. The roundtable was designed to promote trade in goods and services, showcasing innovative solutions from Nigerian fintech firms such as CcHUB, Norebase, Helium Health, Renda, Vendease, and Bamboo.

During his December 2024 address in Cape Town, South Africa, President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing regional collaboration on digital trade. He emphasized the transformative potential of digital trade in driving Africa’s economic development, further cementing Nigeria’s role as a continental leader in this area.

The AU Summit’s praise for Nigeria’s leadership underscores the country’s increasing influence in shaping Africa’s digital economy. Analysts believe that under Tinubu’s guidance, Nigeria will continue to play a central role in driving innovation and economic integration across the continent.

SOURCE: THE SUN