• Reforms aim to boost jobs, GDP, and digital economy by 2030
• AfCFTA digital protocol sets standards for e-commerce, data, and cybersecurity
  

Nigeria’s Federal Government has approved three key policies designed to accelerate the nation’s transition toward a digital and knowledge-based economy. They were presented by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.

FEC APPROVES THREE TRANSFORMATIVE POLICIES TO BOOST INNOVATION, DIGITAL TRADE, AND SERVICES EXPORTS

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a set of transformative policies aimed at accelerating Nigeria's transition into a digital and knowledge-based economy. Presented… pic.twitter.com/h0vwW0bMp2

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 8, 2025

The first is the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), which a presidential statement published Saturday, November 8, called Nigeria’s first unified framework for the protection and commercialization of Intellectual Property rights. The policy aims to connect innovators, creators, and investors to convert creativity into economic capital and transform ideas into economic assets.

The second is the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Digital Trade. This protocol establishes continent-wide standards for e-commerce, data governance, cybersecurity, and consumer protection, ensuring a predictable environment for digital transactions.

The third is the Services Export Mechanism, spearheaded by the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP). This mechanism is intended to intensify Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global services sector. It aims to generate one million new jobs and boost the sector’s contribution to annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to $10 billion by 2030, positioning Nigeria as the African hub for digital outsourcing and professional services.

The policies are “designed to strengthen Nigeria's intellectual property ecosystem, unlock opportunities in digital trade, and expand the country's footprint in the global services export market,” the presidential statement read.

These reforms align with the government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which seeks to promote industrial growth, reduce import dependence, and create sustainable jobs for Nigerians. The agenda places digital transformation at the core of government priorities, aiming to propel the Nigerian economy toward a $1 trillion GDP target by 2030.

The Federal Government stated that “these three reforms mark a bold new chapter in Nigeria’s economic transformation, where ideas, data, and talent become the engines of growth, industrialization, and sustainable prosperity.”

Lydie Mobio