The Federal Government has launched a new initiative to support digital service providers looking to expand into other African countries.
Led by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the initiative starts with a request to fill out a survey. The Ministry wants to know which countries Nigerian digital businesses are interested in, what kind of services they offer, and what roadblocks they face.
With that information, the government plans to steer its trade discussions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) toward those countries—ideally opening up space for Nigerian companies to grow across the continent.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, explained the reason behind the move. “This is because, unlike physical goods and traditional services, digital services don’t fit neatly into existing trade categories,” she said.
“Nigeria is, therefore, championing digital trade services and is pioneering a simple, clear framework that both businesses and governments can understand.”
That problem—digital services not fitting into any clear box—has long discouraged Nigerian companies trying to operate beyond the country’s borders. It’s not yet clear what regulations apply, who issues licences, or how long the process should take. Many are left waiting for answers that don’t come.
Dr. Oduwole added, “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.”
The Ministry also plans to create a database of digital service providers—something Nigeria has never done before. This registry will map their expansion goals and give a clearer picture of the challenges they face. According to the Minister, the outcome could help Nigeria move from reacting to trade policy, to shaping it.
Some Nigerian companies have already made progress. Flutterwave now operates in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Tanzania. Paystack has also expanded to Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya. Interswitch maintains a presence in several African cities. But they are the exceptions. For many others, licensing procedures and unclear frameworks have slowed them down.
At the same time, Nigeria has been working to improve its digital economy at home and ensure tech expansion. There’s already a national policy focused on expanding broadband access, e-commerce systems, and digital financial services.
These steps aim to improve Nigeria’s standing in Africa’s growing digital economy—one that’s expected to contribute $180 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2025, and over $700 billion by 2050.
Still, the challenges are obvious. Over 70% of people in rural parts of Africa don’t have access to the internet. Infrastructure is weak in too many areas. If Nigerian businesses are to scale across the continent, that gap has to close. Projects like this one, if properly followed through, might help.
There’s also a wider conversation happening. Nigeria, along with countries like Kenya and Rwanda, is trying to shape how digital trade works in Africa.
The African Digital Economy & Inclusivity Conference (AFDEIC 2025), scheduled to take place soon, will focus on key themes like financial access, responsible data sharing, and how to manage the growth of digital systems across the continent.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s recent decision to categorise cryptocurrency as securities under the new Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 shows a bigger dynamic. It points to a more structured approach to digital services and may play a role in supporting cross-border trade in the near future.
For now, the government is calling on all local digital service providers to participate in the official survey. The responses will guide future negotiations and could remove some of the obstacles these companies currently face, ultimately ensuring local tech expansion beyond Nigeria.
The survey is available here.
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