FG moves to fix digital payment glitches, expand e-commerce

By Kunle Sanni –

The Federal Government has announced fresh efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital payment systems and expand e-commerce access, with a focus on delivering reliable and convenient financial services to all citizens.

The initiative, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and development partners, is designed to enable seamless money transfers through mobile phones and other digital platforms.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja on Tuesday, September 9, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hadejia, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to financial inclusion by deploying targeted strategies that reach underserved populations.

He noted that while Nigeria’s payment landscape is among the most advanced in the world, challenges around convenience and identity verification continue to hinder e-commerce growth.

“From our perspective, digital payment and identity verification remain the last obstacles to unlocking Nigeria’s full e-commerce potential. Addressing these challenges will help ensure eligible Nigerians, regardless of location or socio-economic status, can access quality, simple financial services,” Hadejia said.

He cited India’s prepaid payment instruments as a model Nigeria could adapt to expand digital trade, adding that improved systems would also address issues slowing progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The roundtable brought together policymakers, industry stakeholders, and global partners to share insights on reforming regulation, infrastructure, and legislation for digital trade. Among the participants was Dr. Max Mendez-Parra of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), who pledged ODI’s support for AfCFTA’s digital trade protocols.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted the AfCFTA DG Pass project to operationalise digital identities, while Salisu Nakande, Special Assistant on ICT Policy to the President, underscored the role of seamless payments in unlocking Nigeria’s digital economy.