By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Digital Cooperation
Organization (DCO) Founding Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya has highlighted
discussions with Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, H.E. Dr
Jumoke Oduwole, on deepening cooperation as Nigeria works towards a $1 trillion
economy by 2030.
AlYahya said the discussions
took place during the United Nations General Assembly’s 81st session, where she
reconnected with Dr. Oduwole to explore how the DCO and Nigeria’s Ministry of
Industry, Trade and Investment can deepen practical cooperation.
She described Dr. Oduwole as
“a leader whose work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, trade,
innovation, and economic transformation,” and highlighted her role in
connecting digital innovation with economic opportunity.
According to AlYahya, the
conversation also focused on Nigeria’s efforts to position itself as a champion
of a more integrated African digital market. She referenced Nigeria’s 2026
ratification of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade as part of that progress.
However, publicly available ECOWAS information indicates that Nigeria had not
yet ratified the broader AfCFTA Agreement as of March 2026, underscoring the
need to distinguish the specific digital trade protocol from the wider AfCFTA
Agreement.
AlYahya also pointed to
indicators she said demonstrate the momentum of Nigeria’s digital economy,
including ICT accounting for 18.9% of GDP, Nigeria being home to 28% of
Africa’s fintechs, and more than 115,000 MSMEs having received support.
She said the engagement
reflected the importance of strengthening practical cooperation between the DCO
and Nigeria as the country pursues its economic ambitions.
“Seeing women leaders like
H.E. Dr Oduwole turn ambition into opportunity gives me even greater confidence
in Africa’s digital future,” AlYahya said.
She added that the DCO looks
forward to deepening its partnership with Nigeria.
