DIGITAL CHAMPIONS TO DRIVE E-COMMERCE GROWTH FOR AGRIBUSINESSES IN NIGERIA AND CÔTE D’IVOIRE

Newly trained e-commerce champions in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire set to help small agribusinesses go digital and trade across borders.

West africa Nigeria Côte d’ivoire Aagribusinesses Digital trade E-commerce Itc.
International Trade Centre (ITC)
International Trade Centre (ITC)



A new generation of digital champions is emerging in West Africa to help small agribusinesses unlock the vast potential of e-commerce and regional trade.

Despite growing interest among small agribusinesses in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire to expand beyond their local markets, many continue to struggle due to limited digital literacy, poor online visibility, and little access to e-commerce tools. Recognising these barriers, the International Trade Centre (ITC) is stepping in with a bold initiative aimed at transforming local support systems from the inside out.

Through its ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) programme, ITC organised a regional “training of trainers” workshop in April 2025, equipping a select group of national advisors and institutional partners with the digital tools, strategies, and confidence to guide 30 agribusinesses, 15 in each country, toward successful online operations and cross-border sales.

Held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the five-day intensive session brought together six newly appointed e-commerce advisors, three from each country and eight representatives from national support institutions. These include Nigeria’s National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), as well as Côte d’Ivoire’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-CI) and the National Chamber of Agriculture (CNA-CI).

What made the training stand out was its emphasis on practical, hands-on learning. From digital marketing and logistics to payment systems and customer service, participants engaged with real-life case studies and peer learning to master the elements of successful e-commerce.

“We’re no longer just talking about challenges; we’re building real capacity,” said Ibrahima Bamba, Agricultural Advisor at Côte d’Ivoire’s National Chamber of Agriculture. “Agro-processors will need this hands-on training to increase their visibility.”

For Anuoluwapo Odubanjo, a Nigerian e-commerce advisor, the workshop marked a turning point: “I’m ready to support agribusinesses in developing tailored e-commerce strategies, from choosing the right platforms to managing online sales, so they can scale up their operations."

Results are already being seen. Eleven participants reported significant improvement in their digital knowledge, with many leaving the workshop with concrete action plans for grassroots impact, from training rural entrepreneurs to helping farmers get listed on online platforms.

Launched in 2018, ITC’s EAT programme continues to strengthen the digital backbone of West Africa’s agricultural economy. By empowering national actors with the right tools, the programme not only closes the digital divide but also plants the seeds for a more connected and competitive agribusiness sector across the region.

Comments

You must be logged in to comment.