Strategic Policy Options for Bracing Nigeria for the Future of Trade

As the fourth industrial era evolves, the role of blockchain technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning in transforming national commerce cannot be overemphasized, especially with the expansion of e-commerce in Africa. In other words, technological advancement and innovation are becoming essential to many aspects of Nigerian businesses, thereby considerably enhancing trade and productivity. This book provides a primer on the role that digital technology may play in Nigeria's trade flows, and the implications for enabling an economy-wide deployment of digitization in trade facilitation.

This book analyzes the importance of STI's contributions to the Nigerian economy, focusing on the transition to digital solutions and their potential to significantly increase trade and commerce. Since AfCFTA's 2018 launch, academic and political responses to the automation of business have increased. Further, business promotion, aid-for-trade, regional integration and trade facilitation issues are at the forefront of business development policy and intellectual discourse in Nigeria. This book details Nigeria's business opportunities, capacities and challenges with a special interest in sustainably enhancing the nation's business ecosystem in the digital age. Through the examination of trade facilitation policies, programs, tools, models and technologies, this book demonstrates Nigeria's need for strategic public-private partnership in digital trade to foster a more sustainable business future.

 

Gbadebo Odularu teaches Economics and Finance at Bay Atlantic University, Washington DC. He is the Senior Technical Consultant at Socio-Economic Research Applications & Projects, Washington, DC, USA. He is also affiliated with the Center for Research on Political Economy (CREPOL), School of Business and Technology, Marymount University, as well as the American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC), USA. He works closely with national, continental and international partners to provide evidence-based policy tools for fostering digital economy towards realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 2030. His most recent book is Trade Facilitation Capacity Needs (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019).