Kalu Urges Swift Digital Trade Reforms to Keep Nigeria, Africa Competitive

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has warned that Africa risks being sidelined in the global economy if it fails to embrace digital trade reforms without delay.

Speaking at the World Trade Organization–Inter-Parliamentary Union (WTO–IPU) Steering Committee session during the WTO Public Forum 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, Kalu stressed that parliaments must drive digital transformation through lawmaking, advocacy, and oversight.

“The world has already moved in this direction, and any delay risks leaving us behind while others surge ahead,” Kalu said. “Trade is no longer what it used to be. Relying solely on traditional trading systems will not deliver the economic value we seek.”

Representing Nigeria on the WTO–IPU Steering Committee, Kalu highlighted progress made through privacy, governance, and private sector-related laws but insisted that Africa must go beyond legislation to actively demonstrate the value of digital trade to everyday businesses.

He cited the example of small-scale sellers in commodities like cocoa and palm oil who often prioritize immediate payment over exploring digital platforms that could expand their markets and boost returns.

“The real issue is not just embracing the digital space—it is about communicating its value to those who must use it,” he said.

The WTO Public Forum, the organization’s largest annual outreach platform, brings together governments, lawmakers, business leaders, civil society, and academics to address critical issues shaping the future of global trade.