The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has urged Nigerian exporters to embrace digital trade and emerging technologies to enhance their competitiveness in the global marketplace, saying the future of international commerce lies in technology-driven business operations.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, made the call on Thursday at a one-day capacity-building workshop on “Enhancing Exporters’ Competitiveness Through Digitalised Trade” held in Owerri, Imo State.
Represented by the NEPC Coordinator in Imo State, Mr Anthony Ajuruchi, Ayeni said digitalisation had become an indispensable tool for businesses seeking to penetrate international markets, improve operational efficiency and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving global trading environment.
She noted that international trade was undergoing profound transformation driven by digital technology, artificial intelligence, e-commerce platforms and data-driven market intelligence, stressing that Nigerian exporters must adapt to remain competitive.
According to her, exporters who leverage digital tools are better positioned to navigate the increasingly complex export ecosystem, identify market opportunities, connect directly with international buyers and manage their businesses more efficiently.
“Market trends are changing, and we must move with the tide. Hence, the need to transition to digital trading so that we remain relevant and compete effectively in the global marketplace,” she said.
Ayeni explained that advances in digital technology have made it possible for businesses to negotiate contracts, market products, monitor international demand, receive payments and manage supply chains remotely, reducing transaction costs and improving productivity.
She said the council remained committed to building the capacity of Nigerian exporters to compete effectively in both regional and international markets, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), where digital trade is increasingly becoming a critical driver of cross-border commerce.
The NEPC boss said the workshop formed part of the council’s broader strategy to prepare Nigerian businesses for the digital economy by exposing exporters to modern trade practices, digital marketing, online business platforms and emerging technologies that support export development.
She noted that as governments and businesses around the world increasingly adopt digital solutions, exporters who fail to embrace technology risk losing market opportunities to more technologically advanced competitors.
Speaking at the workshop, Ms Moboni Alemika, Assistant Chief Trade Information Officer in the Trade Information Department of the NEPC, reiterated the council’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian exporters become business-ready for the international market.
She urged participants to take advantage of information and communications technology (ICT) tools to strengthen their market intelligence capabilities, enabling them to identify the right export destinations, understand consumer preferences and align their products with international market requirements.
According to her, access to timely and reliable trade information has become one of the most important determinants of export success in today’s digital economy.
Also speaking, the Imo State Coordinator of the Technology Incubation Centre, Mr Chukwumonso Ononiwu, represented by Mr Shedrach Ahamefula, described digital technology as a major catalyst for productivity, innovation and business expansion.
He said technology-driven enterprises were better positioned to improve product quality, enhance operational efficiency and expand their market reach, adding that the centre was willing to collaborate with exporters in Imo State to promote innovation, improve value addition and stimulate export-led economic growth.
In her remarks, Mrs Lilian Chibuzor of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council commended the NEPC for organising the workshop and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to working closely with exporters and other stakeholders to improve Nigeria’s export logistics and facilitate international trade.
Participants at the workshop also shared practical experiences on the benefits of embracing digital technology.
A digital fish farmer, Mr Ben-Walter Chukwudi, encouraged farmers and exporters to build their own production and marketing systems rather than relying excessively on intermediaries, saying greater self-reliance would enable businesses to reduce losses, improve profitability and exercise better control over their operations.
Similarly, the Managing Director of St Anne’s Cashew Industry, Mr Uche Chikata, said adopting digital technologies in processing, packaging and marketing had significantly improved his business performance and expanded access to customers.
He urged fellow exporters to embrace digital transformation, describing it as essential for improving efficiency, product quality and competitiveness in both African and global markets.
The workshop comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy through increased non-oil exports under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Federal Government has consistently emphasised export promotion, value addition and digital innovation as key pillars for achieving sustainable economic growth.
An industry expert, Mr Okey IBEKE while reacting to the report, said he believed that digital trade will play an increasingly important role in helping Nigerian exporters take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to create a single African market of over 1.4 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product of more than US$3 trillion.
IBEKE, who is the Principal Consultant of International Trade Advisory Services Limited, noted that by leveraging digital technologies, artificial intelligence, e-commerce platforms and market intelligence tools, Nigerian businesses can reduce transaction costs, access new markets more efficiently and compete more effectively in the evolving global trading landscape.
