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5 hours ago
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ARTICLE AD BOX
Emma Okonji
TikTok and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted the first Digital Commerce Labs (DCL) community event in Lagos. The event aims to help Nigeria’s social commerce sector, which is expected to reach $2.04 billion in 2025 and grow to almost $4 billion by 2030.
Tokunbo Ibrahim, Acting Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for sub‑Saharan Africa at TikTok, explained how Nigerian small businesses can use digital tools to expand and create lasting impact. “Digital commerce is reshaping how businesses grow across sub‑Saharan Africa, and Nigerian entrepreneurs are at the heart of that shift. Through our partnership with ICC, we are committed to ensuring that the benefits of that transformation reach every small business owner in this region,” he said.
ICC Deputy Secretary General Julian Kassum highlighted the role of digital commerce in fostering inclusive growth. “By equipping small businesses with the tools and skills they need to participate in the digital economy, we are opening new pathways for entrepreneurship, trade and job creation. With the Digital Commerce Labs, ICC is committed to ensuring that small businesses in Nigeria can fully seize these opportunities and grow beyond their local markets,” Kassum added.
Charly Gordon, Head of the Innovation Lab at ICC, said the training would help Nigerian small businesses navigate their business journey, especially when trading internationally. “The training will be very practical and not theoretical. We want it to be tailored to the market, and we want it to be adapted to the SME regardless of its journey in digital commerce,” he explained.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director‑General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), noted that TikTok has moved beyond entertainment. “They are now powerful engines for economic growth, enabling small businesses to reach new audiences, tell their unique stories, and scale rapidly,” he said.
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