E-Governance Unlocked: What Nigeria’s 2024 Digital Economy Bill Means For Businesses And The Government – New Technology

Introduction

The National Digital Economy and E – Governance Bill, 2024 (the
“Bill”) is a major step toward building a stronger and
more unified digital economy in Nigeria. The Bill was developed by
the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital
Economy ( FMoCIDE ) to provide clear legal backing for digital
transactions, electronic signatures, and e – governance. In simple
terms, the Bill is designed to help Nigeria transition more rapidly
toward digital systems for business and governance, making
processes faster, safer, and more efficient.

The Bill was introduced in the Senate in July 2024 as Bill No.
SB. 498. It has already passed its first reading and is currently
undergoing further discussions and committee review. Lawmakers are
expected to pass it before the end of the current legislative
session. Although it is often referred to as the “2025
Bill” due to the ongoing deliberations this year, its official
title remains the National Digital Economy and E – Governance Bill,
2024 (Draft).

Before now, Nigeria’s digital landscape has been governed by
separate laws and policies such as the Cybercrimes Act (2015), the
Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023), and the Nigeria Startup Act
(2022). While these laws have driven progress in areas like
cybersecurity and innovation, they do not work together under one
unified framework. The new Bill seeks to bring everything under one
roof by creating a single legal foundation for digital operations,
helping to reduce bureaucracy and promote trust in online
systems.

In addition, the Bill aligns with Nigeria’s broader National
Digital Economy Strategy and the Federal Government’s Renewed
Hope Agenda, while drawing from international best practices and
harmonizing with standards set by the United Nations Commission on
International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). This will also enable Nigeria
to fully leverage the new opportunities created by the African
Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ) Protocol on Digital Trade,
ensuring the country is well – positioned in Africa’s growing
digital economy.

Key Provisions Of The Bill

Some of the central elements of the Bill include

1. Legal recognition of electronic transactions and
   documents

   Part I of the Bill places digital forms on par with traditional
   paper – based records. This means that an email, electronic
   document, or digital form cannot be rejected simply because it is
   not in paper format. It also confirms that when the accuracy and
   accessibility of a digital record can be proven, it fulfills legal
   requirements for “written,” “original,” or
   “retained” documents. This provision eliminates
   uncertainty about whether electronic records are legally acceptable
   and brings Nigeria’s laws in line with international best
   practices.




2. Electronic Contracts and Signatures

   Parts II and III of the Bill establish a clear legal framework for
   recognizing and validating contracts formed electronically. It
   specifies that an offer, acceptance, or declaration of intent made
   through electronic means such as emails, digital platforms, or
   online forms can constitute a legally binding agreement, provided
   that the communication demonstrates mutual consent and
   authenticity. This provision eliminates the long -standing
   ambiguity surrounding digital transactions and ensures that
   electronic records and signatures carry the same legal weight as
   traditional paper – based contracts. Furthermore, the Bill outlines
   acceptable standards for electronic signatures, including advanced
   or secure e -signature systems that can reliably identify the
   signatory and confirm the integrity of the signed document. By
   doing so, it not only facilitates seamless business and government
   transactions but also enhances trust, reduces administrative costs,
   and supports Nigeria’s transition toward a fully digital
   economy.




3. Electronic Time Stamps

   Part IV of the Bill officially recognizes electronic time stamps,
   digital marks that show exactly when a document was created or sent
   as valid legal proof. This means that a time stamp can now be used
   in court or in business to confirm when an electronic record was
   made or shared. To ensure accuracy, all time stamps must follow
   international Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) standards. This
   provision helps build trust in digital transactions by making
   electronic evidence reliable and verifiable.




4. Electronic Transferable Records

   Part V of the Bill introduces a robust legal framework for managing
   key trade and commercial documents such as bills of lading,
   warehouse receipts, promissory notes, and other transferable
   instruments in electronic form. It sets out clear rules for how
   these records can be created, owned, transferred, endorsed, or
   amended, ensuring that their digital equivalents carry the same
   legal weight as paper documents.

   Importantly, the Bill recognizes the cross – border validity of
   such records, aligning Nigeria’s framework with the UNCITRAL
   Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR, 2017), which
   promotes international harmonization and facilitates global
   trade.

   In practical terms, this means Nigerian businesses can participate
   more confidently in digital trade and logistics under the African
   Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ). This development reduces
   paperwork, minimizes fraud, and accelerates logistics and trade
   finance processes, making the movement of goods and payments
   faster, safer, and globally recognized.




5. Electronic Contracts for the Carriage of
   Goods

   Part VI of the Bill accords full legal recognition to electronic
   communications and documents used in contracts for the carriage of
   goods. In practical terms, this means that all actions
   traditionally executed in writing, such as issuing receipts,
   confirming loading, declaring the value of goods, providing
   delivery instructions, or transferring rights in goods, can now be
   validly carried out through data messages, including emails, e -
   documents, and other verified digital records.

   This provision modernizes Nigeria’s commercial and logistics
   framework by ensuring that electronic documentation carries the
   same legal force as paper – based records. It paves the way for
   paperless trade, faster and more transparent logistics operations,
   and seamless alignment with global e – commerce and digital trade
   standards. Ultimately, it enhances efficiency across supply chains,
   reduces administrative burdens, and strengthens Nigeria’s
   competitiveness in global trade.

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