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Access Bank PLC successfully hosted the inaugural Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and trade experts to discuss solutions for accelerating intra-African trade and unlocking the continent’s economic potential. The conference addressed key challenges such as limited access to capital, gaps in market information, trust deficits among trading partners, and the urgent need for modernized trade infrastructure.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, opened the conference with a keynote speech highlighting major trade barriers in Africa. He emphasized the need for financial sector collaboration to improve capital access and create a thriving business environment for African enterprises to scale and compete globally.
“We must prioritize initiatives that foster business connections, build trust, and strengthen intra-African trade. It is time to reject the notion that ‘Made in Africa’ is inferior—African businesses must support and invest in local products to drive the continent’s economic transformation,” Ogbonna stated.
With Africa’s population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains a game-changer in reshaping the continent’s trade landscape. AfCFTA aims to integrate African economies, boost industrialization, and enhance global competitiveness. Recognizing this potential, H.E. Wamkele K. Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA, stressed the urgency of fully implementing the agreement to maximize its benefits.
“The AfCFTA is more than just a trade agreement; it is a strategic tool for Africa’s industrialization and economic self-sufficiency. To realize its full potential, we must remove trade barriers and empower businesses—particularly SMEs and women-led enterprises—with access to capital, information, and trade platforms,” Mene stated.
Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, underscored the importance of innovative financing mechanisms to support African businesses in expanding across borders. She reaffirmed Afreximbank’s dedication to trade finance solutions and infrastructure investments that will strengthen Africa’s trade ecosystem.
“At Afreximbank, we recognize that trade finance is essential for economic development. Without it, businesses cannot grow, industries cannot innovate, and Africa cannot unlock its full trade potential. That is why we developed the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to facilitate seamless transactions across borders, reducing reliance on foreign currencies and strengthening intra-African trade,” Awani remarked.
The conference featured insights from Nathalie Louat, Global Director at the IFC/World Bank Group, who highlighted the critical role of trade finance in cross-border transactions and financial inclusion. She also emphasized IFC’s long-standing collaboration with Access Bank in fostering Africa’s economic resilience.
A series of high-level panel discussions explored strategies to dismantle trade barriers and enhance market access through digital transformation, infrastructure development, and policy harmonization. Industry leaders from Deutsche Bank, Traydstream, OWP Partners, Fiducia International, and other key organizations examined how innovative solutions could drive economic growth and boost intra-African trade.
Dr. Marc Auboin of the World Trade Organization (WTO) provided insights into how digital transformation is reshaping Africa’s supply chain, increasing efficiency, and unlocking new global market opportunities. Additionally, Tanya Dos Santos-Ford from GIBS Business School led a session on sustainable trade, highlighting the importance of environmentally responsible economic growth strategies.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions to intra-African trade and economic development. 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 recognized for their efforts in advancing intra-African trade, while Tennant Metals South Africa Pty Ltd was celebrated as an Emerging Leader in Trade.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) received the Climate Finance Leadership Award, while Afreximbank was honored as the Champion of Intra-African Trade. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) were acknowledged for their roles in economic transformation and infrastructure financing, respectively. The prestigious African Icon Award was presented to IHS Group, Dangote Industries Limited, and MTN Group Limited for their significant contributions to Africa’s economic progress.
Closing the conference, Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries at Access Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting trade finance, promoting regional integration, and advocating for policies that create a conducive business environment across Africa.
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