NITDA Unveils Trustmark Platform for Safer E-Commerce in Nigeria
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is set to launch the Nigerian Digital Trustmark Initiative, a programme designed to strengthen confidence and trust within the country’s digital ecosystem.
Developed in partnership with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the initiative seeks to promote transparency in online transactions and enhance Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
With the official launch of the Trustmark website slated for October 17, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country are expected to benefit immensely, as the project aims to tackle challenges associated with online business operations.
Speaking during a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the Director-General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, highlighted the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy, noting that it has already surpassed the oil and gas sector in contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“For almost five years now, Nigeria’s digital economy has outperformed the oil and gas sector and other critical industries in terms of contribution to our GDP,” Inuwa said.
He explained that the Federal Government’s target is to increase the digital economy’s contribution to 21 percent of GDP by 2027, under the leadership of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
However, the DG acknowledged that the rapid expansion of the digital economy also presents new challenges, particularly in cybersecurity and public trust.
“When you digitise, challenges emerge because technology is a double-edged sword. While the good guys use it to increase productivity, bad actors exploit it to cause harm, thereby damaging Nigeria’s reputation globally,” he said.
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To address these challenges, Inuwa announced that NITDA, in collaboration with NACCIMA and GIZ, will introduce the Nigerian Digital Trustmark Initiative — a programme that brings together the public and private sectors to build trust in the digital ecosystem.
The initiative will feature a trustmark that verifies the authenticity of websites and online platforms, enabling users to identify genuine digital entities.
“Every company, every e-commerce platform, every business, and every government organisation will have a trust seal on their website to confirm authenticity,” Inuwa explained.
Speaking at the event, a representative of NACCIMA, Sulaiman Ibrahim, commended NITDA for the initiative, describing it as a bold step toward deepening accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s digital landscape.
“We are honoured to partner with NITDA in advancing Nigeria’s digital future through the National Digital Trustmark Project. This initiative is a visionary step toward deepening trust and accountability in our digital economy,” he said.
Ibrahim stressed that trust remains the bedrock of innovation and digital transformation, adding that a secure and transparent online environment is vital for sustainable progress.
He noted that key benefits of the initiative include the establishment of a formal certification framework that recognises organisations complying with national standards on cybersecurity, data protection, and ethical digital practices.
“As private sector players, we support this initiative because it will open new opportunities for MSMEs and larger enterprises to harness technology for competitiveness, inclusivity, and sustainable growth,” he added.
On his part, Chinedu Albert, representing GIZ Nigeria, acknowledged that while digital transformation is accelerating in Nigeria, a trust deficit continues to hinder the growth of e-commerce.
“Nigeria’s e-commerce market was valued at ₦13 trillion in 2024, yet it represents only 0.035 percent of the global e-commerce market worth $27 trillion. Trust deficit remains a major obstacle, and this initiative directly addresses that challenge,” he said.
