AfCFTA Forum: Tinubu Says Time for Africa to Deliver

President Bola Tinubu has declared that the moment for Africa to move “from aspiration to execution, and from agreements on paper to prosperity in the lives of our people” has arrived, as Nigeria hosts the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2026.

The forum, themed “Digital Trade for a Connected African Market,” opened in Lagos on Wednesday, convening policymakers, innovators, investors, and private-sector leaders from across the continent.

“I welcome African policymakers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and private sector leaders to Lagos as Nigeria hosts the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2026,” Tinubu said in a statement.

“This year’s Forum, themed “Digital Trade for a Connected African Market,” comes at a defining moment. Africa must now move from aspiration to execution, and from agreements on paper to prosperity in the lives of our people.”

The president said Nigeria was proud to serve as one of Africa’s AfCFTA Digital Trade Champions and was matching the responsibility with action.

Through the National Single Window, he said, the government was building “a faster, simpler and more transparent trading system” to reduce delays, lower costs and support importers, exporters, manufacturers and MSMEs.

Africa’s digital future is being shaped through collaboration, innovation, and implementation.

Join policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and development partners at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2026 as they explore the future of digital trade, e-commerce, digital… pic.twitter.com/42mxYcuusq

— AfCFTA Secretariat Official (@AfCFTA) July 1, 2026

Tinubu also noted B’Odogwu, the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernisation initiative, which he said was strengthening revenue assurance and improving cargo clearance.

Tinubu confirmed that Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco are now piloting the AfCFTA’s ADAPT framework, an interoperability system designed to connect national trade systems.

“These reforms sit alongside our broader digital public infrastructure agenda: digital identity, interoperable payments, data governance and the growth of platforms that allow Nigerian businesses to serve African and global markets,” Tinubu said.

“With Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco now piloting the AfCFTA’s ADAPT framework, we are moving from policy to practice in connecting our national trade systems across the continent

“The AfCFTA gives Africa the market. Digital trade gives that market speed, scale and reach.

“Nigeria will continue to work with our African brothers and sisters to build a continent that trades more with itself, creates more value for itself, and competes with confidence in the world.The future of African trade is digital, connected and full of promise.”

I welcome African policymakers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs and private sector leaders to Lagos as Nigeria hosts the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum 2026. @AfCFTA

This year’s Forum, themed “Digital Trade for a Connected African Market,” comes at a defining moment. Africa… pic.twitter.com/ROz22tc4vl

— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) July 1, 2026