Nigeria’s growing pool of software developers, consultants, educators and other digital professionals is creating a new channel for cross-border trade, as more Nigerians deliver services to clients across Africa, Europe and North America from within the country.
Industry experts said the growth of digitally delivered services is strengthening the productive capacity of the economy while increasing the importance of reliable telecommunications infrastructure.
They spoke during an economic dialogue co-hosted by financial planner Kalu Aja and chartered accountant Oluwatosin Olaseinde, founder of digital investment platform Ladda, on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Olaseinde said telecommunications investment was enabling Nigerians to participate in markets beyond their immediate locations.
“On a retail level, it’s not just them investing in capital expenditure—it’s actually creating economic capacity, productive capacity for the Nigerian economy,” she said.
She cited examples of Nigerians working remotely for clients in Lagos, Nairobi, New York and London, as well as online tutors serving students in different locations.
“Remote workers can actually work. People are sitting in Lagos with clients in Nairobi, New York, London. Online tutoring—somebody sitting in Lagos tutoring children in Kaduna, in Nairobi, just all over,” Olaseinde said.
She added that exposure to international clients could also improve the quality of services delivered by Nigerian professionals.
“It also raises the level of competence and service delivery in Nigeria… The excellence level goes up,” she stated.
The telecommunications sector accounted for 9.19% of Nigeria’s GDP in the first quarter of 2026, according to the official figure cited during the discussion.
Aja said continued investment by telecom operators was critical to sustaining the businesses and professionals that depend on digital connectivity.
Citing MTN Nigeria’s financial disclosures, he pointed to cumulative capital expenditure of about ₦1.62 trillion.
“In every local government area in Nigeria there is an MTN somewhere,” Aja said, adding “You’ll either find a tower or you’re going to find someone selling recharge cards. That’s the depth and level of their contribution to Nigeria so far.”
The experts noted that network interruptions can affect remote workers and businesses serving international clients by disrupting online meetings, cloud applications, payments and project delivery.
The development comes as Nigeria seeks to expand non-oil sources of economic activity. Unlike physical exports, digitally delivered services allow professionals to access international markets without moving people or goods across borders.
Olaseinde also highlighted the difference between foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment, arguing that long-term investment can contribute to jobs and productive capacity.
“FPI is like a one-night stand. FDI is like a marriage,” she compared.
The discussion also cited MTN Nigeria’s ₦419.9 billion dividend payment and ₦429 billion in taxes in 2025 as examples of the financial contribution of large corporates to the economy.
With developers, consultants, educators, financial professionals and other service providers increasingly working across borders, experts said dependable connectivity is becoming a basic requirement for Nigeria’s emerging digital export economy.