FG unveils national digital trustmark to tackle fraud in $13bn e-commerce market

The federal government has launched a National Digital Trustmark to enhance consumer confidence and promote transparency in Nigeria’s $13 billion e-commerce sector.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with key regulatory bodies, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Kashifu Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), announced the launch on Thursday in Abuja.

The portal, developed by NITDA in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Trustmark provides a verifiable certification for legitimate online businesses.

Abdullahi stated that the Trustmark will help curb online fraud, identity theft, scams, and forgery, while fostering trust and integrity in Nigeria’s digital business space.

According to him, “The National Digital Trustmark has become essential in light of growing global concerns around online and e-commerce activities involving Nigerians.”

He expressed concern over the negative perception of Nigerians as fraudsters due to recurring cases of online scams, such as customers making payments without receiving goods or receiving items that do not meet advertised specifications.

Abdullahi explained that the Trustmark, supported by GIZ and NACCIMA, is designed to address such challenges. It will serve as a security seal issued by NITDA to certify and authenticate digital businesses.

The seal will be displayed on platforms, letterheads, and websites to verify registered companies or entities operating in Nigeria, with at least one identifiable office.

He noted that while the certification is not mandatory, it will involve a fee based on business size and specialization. The registration portal is expected to open next week.

Tijani Ibrahim, President of NACCIMA—represented by Suleiman Audu, Special Adviser on Digital Economy Trade Group—described the seal as a step toward building a safer and more competitive digital economy.

He assured that NACCIMA, in collaboration with stakeholders such as SMEDAN, NAFDAC, and SON, would ensure smooth implementation, free from bureaucratic hurdles.

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Chinedu Albert, a GIZ representative, said the Trustmark certification would be renewed annually to maintain transparency and accountability. He described the initiative as a model for public-private partnerships.

Albert highlighted that Nigeria’s e-commerce market accounts for just 0.055% of the $27 trillion global market—a figure largely attributed to trust issues.

The Trustmark, he said, directly addresses this and aligns with the African Continental Digital Trade Protocol, which encourages cross-border trust mechanisms to support intra-African trade.

He emphasized that both public and private online businesses would be eligible for the seal, which aims to eliminate fraud and illicit transactions in Nigeria’s digital space.

Albert also noted that while Nigeria is often associated with online fraud, some of the activities have been traced to foreign nationals.

He added that similar seals are already being implemented in countries like Rwanda to combat cyber fraud, identity theft, and data mismanagement.