By Ayomide Otitoju
Access Bank PLC has successfully hosted the inaugural Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and trade experts to address critical challenges and develop solutions for accelerating intra-African trade.
The conference focused on key obstacles hindering trade within the continent, including limited access to capital, market information gaps, trust deficits between trading partners, and the urgent need for modernized trade infrastructure.
In his opening remarks, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, underscored the importance of financial sector collaboration in facilitating seamless access to capital. He called for a unified approach to strengthening African enterprises and enhancing their competitiveness in global markets.
“We must invest in initiatives that bring businesses together, foster trust, and create connections necessary for trade. We must reject the narrative that ‘Made in Africa’ is inferior and instead support, promote, and invest in African products,” Ogbonna stated.
With Africa’s population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains a landmark initiative aimed at integrating the continent’s economies. H.E. Wamkele K. Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA, emphasized the need for full implementation of the agreement to maximize its benefits.
“AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is an instrument for Africa’s industrialization and economic sovereignty. To unlock its full potential, we must commit to operationalizing the agreement and ensuring businesses, particularly SMEs and women-led enterprises, have access to necessary resources,” Mene stated.
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, highlighted the importance of financing mechanisms to support African businesses in cross-border expansion. She reaffirmed Afreximbank’s commitment to trade finance solutions and infrastructure investments that will enhance Africa’s trade potential.
“Trade finance is the lifeblood of economic development. Without it, businesses cannot scale, industries cannot innovate, and Africa cannot fully realize its trade potential,” Awani remarked, citing the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as a tool to facilitate seamless transactions across borders.
The conference featured high-level panel discussions on overcoming trade barriers, improving market access, and leveraging digital transformation to enhance supply chains. Experts from institutions such as Deutsche Bank, Traydstream, OWP Partners, Fiducia International, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) shared insights on economic growth and intra-African trade strategies.
Dr. Marc Auboin from WTO discussed how digital transformation is reshaping Africa’s trade landscape, while Tanya Dos Santos-Ford of GIBS Business School led a session on sustainable trade practices.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions to intra-African trade and economic transformation. Honorees included Tradepass Commodities Limited (Ghana), Chemaf International FZE (DR Congo), and Harvest Group of Companies (Zambia) for their impact on SMEs and women-led trade enterprises. Bulkstream Limited (Kenya) and Electricidade de Moçambique (Mozambique) were awarded for advancing intra-African trade, while Tennant Metals South Africa Pty Ltd received the Emerging Leader in Trade Award.
International Finance Corporation (IFC) was recognized with the Climate Finance Leadership Award, Afreximbank received the Champion of Intra-African Trade Award, while the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) were honored for their roles in economic transformation and infrastructure finance. IHS Group, Dangote Industries Limited, and MTN Group Limited received the prestigious African Icon Award for their contributions to Africa’s economic progress.
Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries at Access Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting trade finance, fostering regional integration, and championing policies that create an enabling environment for businesses across Africa.
