The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has launched a fresh initiative aimed at making it easier for Nigerian digital service providers to expand across African markets.
As part of this effort, the Ministry is inviting all digital service providers in Nigeria to participate in an official survey.
The survey enables businesses to share information about their operations and indicate the specific African countries they are targeting for expansion.
Announcing the initiative on Monday, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said Nigeria is pioneering “a straightforward way to map digital services that will open doors for the country’s tech businesses across the continent.”
According to her, Nigerian digital businesses often face challenges when trying to enter other African markets due to uncertainties about registration procedures, applicable regulations, and the relevant regulatory agencies.
“This is because, unlike physical goods and traditional services, digital services don’t fit neatly into existing trade categories,” Oduwole explained.
“Nigeria is, therefore, championing digital trade services and is pioneering a simple, clear framework that both businesses and governments can understand.
“It’s like creating a common language that helps everyone to get on the same page about what these services are and how they should be treated. The transformative benefits for Nigeria include unlocking new markets,” she added.
The Minister said the initiative will also help direct Nigeria’s trade negotiations more effectively.
“By identifying exactly which African countries Nigerian businesses want to enter, the Ministry can focus its trade negotiations on opening those specific markets,” she said.
Oduwole further stated that the initiative will, for the first time, provide Nigeria with a comprehensive database of its digital service providers, their expansion plans, and the barriers they face.
This move, she emphasized, would not only boost Nigeria’s digital leadership but also position the country “as a forward-thinking leader in Africa’s digital economy,” giving it a seat at the table in shaping the rules rather than merely following them.