By Joy Onuorah
What if trade in Africa could be as smooth as online shopping?
According to Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), this future isn’t far off.
At the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon 2025, held during the Science of Trade Conference in Lagos, Inuwa (represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka) delivered a message saying, technology is not just transforming trade, it’s redefining it.
“Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million and strong entrepreneurial culture, is uniquely positioned to lead Africa’s digital transformation,” Inuwa said.
*The AfCFTA Advantage*
Inuwa highlighted the massive potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which connects 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3 trillion.
With the recent adoption of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, Africa is tearing down trade barriers and building a truly unified digital market.
“From Abuja, I can order products online, conduct due diligence, make payments, and receive deliveries technology has made trade seamless,” he shared.
The Hackathon couldn’t have come at a better time.
Following the African Union’s 2024 endorsement of the Digital Trade Protocol, the event aims to drive solutions that cut across all 54 member nations, solutions that harmonise regulations and unlock new market opportunities.
*Tech in Action
Inuwa didn’t just speak in theory. He pointed to real-world success stories like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Their digital shift through the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS II) automated declarations, cargo tracking, and risk assessment leading to a whopping 238% revenue jump between 2017 and 2023.
The follow-up system, the Unified Customs Management System (launched in December 2024), has already raked in over ₦31 billion. Proof that digital tools aren’t just efficient, they’re profitable.
*Hackathon With a Purpose*
The Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon focuses on five core areas:
. Youth and MSME Inclusion
. E-Commerce Adoption
. E-Commerce Policy and Trust
. Digital Payments
. E-Commerce Regulatory Sandbox
Each of these is a building block for a more connected and competitive African trade ecosystem.
“I’m confident 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,” said Inuwa.
*Driving Inclusion and Innovation*
Dr. Olusegun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office (represented by Olusegun Olutayo), reminded attendees that transformation isn’t a one-time act, it’s a journey.
He emphasised the importance of “collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth” in making Africa a global hub for digital trade.
Awolowo described the Hackathon as a practical tool to activate the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, turning policy into real progress.
In his words, “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.”
Emerging tech, from AI and blockchain to digital payments and online platforms, isn’t just a trend.
It’s the engine driving Africa’s trade future. And with events like the Nigeria AfCFTA Hackathon leading the charge, the continent is not just catching up, it’s setting the pace.
