The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has said that the transformative potential of emerging technologies is key to revolutionising trade and investments in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The Director-General, who made this remark in his keynote address at the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, held as part of the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos State, highlighted how digital innovation can drive efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth.
Represented at the event by the agency’s Director of Digital Economy Development Department, Engr. Salisu Kaka, the Director-General pointed out that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remained one of the largest free trade zones globally, uniting over 1.4 billion people with a collective GDP exceeding $3 trillion.
He described the recent adoption of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol as a pivotal milestone that will break down trade barriers, streamline regulations, and open new markets for businesses of all sizes.
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Inuwa said: “Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million and strong entrepreneurial culture, is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s digital transformation.
“From Abuja, I can order products online, conduct due diligence, make payments, and receive deliveries—technology has made trade seamless.
“This Hackathon arrives at a crucial time following the African Union’s 2024 endorsement of the Digital Trade Protocol. It aims to harmonise digital regulations and eliminate trade barriers across all 54 African nations,” he added.
The NITDA boss stressed that while global technological advances had reshaped commerce, many African trade systems are still burdened by out-dated procedures, excessive paperwork, and logistical bottlenecks. But a shift is underway, powered by innovations such as blockchain, AI, IoT, and digital platforms, which are now central to trade operations.
He cited the success of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in leveraging technology through the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II), which automated key processes like declarations, cargo tracking, and risk assessment—leading to a 238% revenue increase between 2017 and 2023.
In addition, Inuwa disclosed that the Service’s Unified Customs Management System, introduced in December 2024 as a successor to NICIS II, had already generated over N31 billion, showcasing Nigeria’s progress in digital trade facilitation.
The Hackathon is structured around five priority areas: Youth and MSME Inclusion, E-Commerce Adoption, E-Commerce Policy and Trust, Digital Payments, and the E-Commerce Regulatory Sandbox. These are sectors where digital tools can significantly enhance trade dynamics.
Speaking on the competition, the techno expert expressed optimism that the Hackathon will spark innovative, scalable solutions to boost intra-African e-commerce, streamline cross-border transactions, and empower MSMEs with digital capabilities to compete globally.
He described the event as a springboard for innovations that will simplify payments, promote inclusion, and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in actualising the AfCFTA digital economy framework.
In his welcome address, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office Dr. Olusegun Awolowo, emphasised that transformation is a continuous journey. He highlighted the continent’s focus on collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth as essential to establishing Africa as a hub for digital trade.
Awolowo, who was represented by Senior International Trade Policy and Law expert, Olusegun Olutayo, reaffirmed the transformative potential of the AfCFTA, emphasising that it presents Africa as a unified market of over one billion people—a vast opportunity for intra-African trade, investment, and economic growth.
He maintained that realising this vision required active participation and shared ownership, describing the Hackathon as a tangible mechanism for implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol—prioritising inclusion, innovation, and equitable access. It is expected to generate actionable solutions that bridge policy and practice, accelerating Africa’s digital economy and empowering the next generation of African innovators.
Photo Caption
Director -General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the agency’s Director of the Digital Economy Development, Engr. Salisu Kaka, presenting a cash prize of N10 million to Get AI under the Regulatory Sandbox category, during the closing ceremony of the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025’s Science of Trade Conference held in Lagos
