E-commerce to a layman, is simply a webfront, where daily transactions are being made by 2 or more parties, generally assumed to be an online store where commodity is sold by the majority, but in reality, it does go far beyound that. A good explanation can be found at wikipedia.

Nigeria is well known for its phenomenal leap frogging, in anything you introduce into its market. E-commerce in Nigeria for one, hasnt really been well adopted, although we might see a lot of mini enterprises and a few corporations striving hard to see it come out in shape. Thus, the leap frogging factor hasnt infected the E-commerce industry. So what might be the possible problem?

Ignoring my own perception and understanding of the system, I did a quick research on google, on what Nigerians in Nigeria, in particular have to say to it.

The inputs I got by browsing through a topic titled “Doing E-Commerce from Nigeria (the 419 Stigma)” on Nairaland, a Nigerian forum, wasnt really impressive, Although I shouldnt ignore to commend a few of those who, tried to explain a few local terms, although it might be unnecessary and useless, because it still doesnt show they really do understand the problem at stake. Most generally, either they lack the experience, or I should be pardoned to say, they lack the basic understanding, on how an e-commerce system should generally work, and even whether the 419 stigma does have a direct impact on the local penetration of e-commerce in Nigeria. I really dont blame them, nobody is really working hard on educating them, besides we are all trying to learn more daily. Aren’t we?

So I decided to research more, and came up with a very interesting and well elaborated entry on Nigerian Village square by Dr. Gbenga Bamodu (Dept of International Trade and E-Commerce Law,University of Essex (UK), although located in the UK, in his post entry titled ” The Legal Landscape for E-Commerce in Nigeria“. I think that post actually went beyound what I would have achieved in trying to explain, besides touching every aspect of it objectively with a little bit of techinical flavour.

As much as I would have love, to quote that article, at the same time I would prefer readers to go and give it a through read at the main source. So I encourage that anybody interested in knowing the problem with e-commerce in Nigeria, the current obstacle to it, should head there by clicking the link.

The Legal Landscape for E-Commerce in Nigeria”

In part 2 of this post, which I would try to compose and post as soon as possible. I would give my own perception of the present status, the present and the possible future, besides that, I would try, to go through the pre-requisites of attaining that possible future etc. So stay tuned.