Digital Trade Facilitation Between the EU and Nigeria: Professional Challenges and Policy Gaps

This study examines the professional challenges and policy gaps associated with digital trade facilitation in the bilateral relationship between the European Union and Nigeria, with particular focus on the barriers preventing Nigerian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from fully leveraging digital trade channels to access European markets. The digital transformation of trade, encompassing e-commerce platforms, digital customs documentation, electronic payments, and online service exports, offers significant new market access opportunities for Nigerian businesses. However, Nigerian MSMEs face asymmetric digital infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, and professional capacity deficits that constrain their participation in EU-oriented digital trade. This applied study draws on the EU Digital Trade Strategy, World Trade Organisation e-commerce work programme documentation, Nigerian Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy policy documents, and secondary literature on digital trade in sub-Saharan Africa published between 2020 and 2024. Structured interviews with digital trade practitioners, e-commerce platform managers, and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) digital trade officers in Lagos and Abuja provide primary professional data. The study examines specific regulatory, infrastructure, and professional capacity barriers, including cross-border payment restrictions, digital product certification requirements, and data localisation conflicts between Nigerian and EU regulatory frameworks. Findings deliver practical professional recommendations for bridging the digital trade facilitation gap in EU-Nigeria bilateral commerce. Keywords: digital trade facilitation, EU-Nigeria, e-commerce, MSMEs, trade policy.