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Tag: Executive Vice President

  • NNPC Strengthens National Healthcare with MRI Machine Handover to Nnewi Hospital

    NNPC Strengthens National Healthcare with MRI Machine Handover to Nnewi Hospital

    NNPC Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of NNPC Ltd., has commissioned and handed over a fully installed 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) System to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State. 

    The intervention, which is in furtherance of NNPC Ltd’s commitment to improving healthcare access and strengthening medical infrastructure across Nigeria, is expected to significantly improve access to advanced diagnostic imaging services for millions of Nigerians across the South-East (Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi States) as well as neighbouring Delta State. 

    The intervention involved the delivery, installation, calibration, testing, and commissioning of the state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI Machine alongside critical supporting infrastructure, including RF shielding systems, chillers, backup UPS systems, electrical installations, specialized imaging accessories, ventilation systems, CCTV and oxygen monitoring systems, intercom communication facilities, and other patient comfort technologies designed to ensure optimal operation of the facility. 

    Prior to the intervention, patients requiring advanced MRI diagnostic services often faced prolonged waiting periods, exorbitant costs, and the burden of travelling long distances in search of functional imaging centres. 

    Speaking during the commissioning ceremony held at the Igwe Orizu ICT Centre, NAUTH Permanent Site, Anambra State, on Friday, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, described the intervention as a strategic investment in healthcare access, diagnostic precision, and improved patient outcomes, noting that the facility aligns with the Company’s commitment to building sustainable systems and impactful national institutions. 

    “The installation of the MRI in NAUTH exemplifies our commitment as our intent is to build enduring institutions, sustainable systems and legacies. This intervention aligns with our conviction that access to quality healthcare underpins human dignity, longevity and economic productivity,” the GCEO stated. 

    ‎He described the Company’s social investments as viable currencies that strengthen the relationship between the Company’s core mandate of providing and managing energy for Nigerians and meeting stakeholders’ expectations. 

    ‎In his remarks, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike said the intervention would enhance safe and precise diagnosis and treatment for patients across the South-East region. 

    ‎He also commended NNPC Foundation for donating the MRI facility to the state, noting that the intervention would significantly improve access to quality healthcare services for the people. 

    ‎Also speaking was the Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Ltd., Mrs Sophia Mbakwe, who was represented by the Chief Supply Chain Officer, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Isokariari Telema reiterated the Company’s commitment to responsive and equitable social investments aimed at positively impacting the lives of Nigerians. 

    ‎“In over forty years of its existence, NNPC has stayed the course in impacting lives positively across Nigeria – supporting with infrastructural development, social amenities, educational sponsorships, and a host of other projects and initiatives that have underscored our values of Integrity, Excellence and Sustainability.” 

    ‎On his part, the Chief Medical Director, NAUTH, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja, lauded the leadership of NNPC Ltd. for recognising the strategic importance of healthcare to national prosperity and well-being, while assuring the Foundation of the hospital’s commitment to maximising the MRI facility for public benefit. 

    ‎”For too long, patients in our catchment area have had to travel long distance to access this level of diagnostic precision, often at prohibitive costs. With this installation, we will eliminate that burden. NNPC Foundation has demonstrated that corporate social responsibility is not just a policy statement but a lifeline for the institutions like ours.” he concluded. 

  • She-Fix 2.0: NNPC Retail Champions Inclusion, Impact, Opportunities for Women

    She-Fix 2.0: NNPC Retail Champions Inclusion, Impact, Opportunities for Women

    In its bid to advance inclusion, celebrate female excellence, and strengthen women’s participation across technical and professional sectors, the NNPC Retail Limited (NNPC Retail), a subsidiary of the NNPC Ltd., hosted the second edition of She-Fix 2.0, its flagship, women-focused initiative, in Abuja, on Saturday.

    The event, held under the theme “Driving Diversity, Powering Progress”, was attended by over 300 women professionals, business owners, young technicians, and energy industry leaders.

    In her address, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who described inclusion as central to national growth, called for more opportunities for women in technical and STEM-related fields.

    While commending NNPC Retail for its vision in establishing the initiative, the Minister called for sustained collaboration between government and the corporate sector to scale the programme further.

    In her keynote address, Executive Vice President, Business Services, NNPC Limited, Sophia Mbakwe, noted that women’s contribution within NNPC Ltd. permeates every level, stressing that NNPC Retail, the company’s daily point of contact with ordinary Nigerians, is a space where diversity holds significant weight.

    Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, Huub Stokman, who was represented by Valentina Kojo, Executive Director, Finance, NNPC Retail, stressed that women empowerment must be practical, visible, and sustainable.

    In his remarks, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Limited, Andy Odeh, said women in today’s energy sector are leading change, building institutions, and shaping the narrative of an industry already in transition. He reiterated that when women lead, value follows, and when value follows, organisations grow and society prospers.

    Highlights of the She Fix 2.0 initiative include a panel session, live car care demonstrations, a marketplace showcasing female-led businesses, interactive sessions, networking activities, and special discounts on Oleum Lubricants and NR-GAS LPG products, reaffirming NNPC Retail’s commitment to gender equity and inclusion across the entire energy value chain.

    The panel featured five senior women from across energy, finance, technology, and corporate governance namely: Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director, NNPC Foundation; Maryamu Idris, Managing Director, NNPC Trading Limited and OPEC National Representative for Nigeria; Oremeyi Akah, Chief Customer Officer, Interswitch Limited; Toyin Alasi, Founder and CEO, Money Wise International; and Adaeze Nwakoby, General Manager, Governance, Risk & Compliance, NNPC Retail Limited.

    The She-Fix 2.0 initiative builds upon the momentum of the 2025 edition held in Lagos. It symbolises a deliberate expansion of the programme’s reach and reaffirming NNPC Retail’s commitment to growing a platform which produces lasting outcomes for women across the nation’ energy sector.

  • Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort to Scale Africa’s Digital Trade Ecosystem

    Afreximbank Launches Inaugural Accelerator Programme Cohort to Scale Africa’s Digital Trade Ecosystem

    …The programme underscores Afreximbank’s growing role as a catalyst for Africa’s trade and innovation ecosystem, providing a structured platform to identify and scale high-impact ventures

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has officially launched the inaugural cohort of its “Afreximbank Accelerator Programme,” bringing together eight high-potential startups from across Africa and the diaspora for an intensive kick-off week taking place in Cairo from 23-27 March 2026. 

    Selected from a highly competitive pool of over 1,600 applications, the cohort represents some of the most promising ventures building digital infrastructure for intra-African trade from across the continent. These startups operate across key sectors including cross-border payments, digital logistics, agri-export platforms, AI-powered enterprise solutions, supply chain finance and diaspora investment mobilisation. 

    Participating in the cohort are the startups Fincart.io of Egypt; OnePort 365, which operates in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya; Timon, a pan-African entity active in 15 countries; Zowasel, also active in Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania; Gebeya, which is both Ethiopian and pan-African; Fluna, also a pan-African startup active in 10 countries; Capsa Technologies of Nigeria; and Daba Finance whose operations cover Francophone Africa. 

    Under the programme, which has been conceptualised, designed, and operated by Afreximbank, qualifying startups will be supported with investment of up to US$250,000, subject to standard investment criteria and due diligence, complemented by mentorship, market access, and strategic partnerships designed to accelerate their expansion across Africa.

    The Cairo kick-off week, that commenced at Afreximbank’s headquarters on March 24, 2026 features a series of high-level engagements with the Bank’s leadership, industry experts, mentors and ecosystem partners. The week will culminate in an exclusive Social Mixer at the Grand Egyptian Museum, symbolically linking Africa’s rich heritage with its rapidly evolving innovation future. 

    Driving Africa’s Digital Trade Future 

    Speaking during the kickoff meeting, Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank, highlighted the significance of the event: “Today, we move from promise to execution, because we understand a fundamental truth: trade does not happen within the pages of policy documents. Trade happens through businesses. It happens through entrepreneurs. It happens through builders. What excites me the most about this cohort is not only who you are, but what you represent. You are building the digital rails that will define how Africa trades in the 21st century.” 

    He added: “This Accelerator Programme is part of a much broader ambition: an Africa where start-ups scale across the continent as a matter of course, where businesses trade seamlessly across borders, and where the continent operates as a truly integrated economic force.  Afreximbank is proud to be a partner, an enabler and a committed stakeholder in the success of the next generation of African trade champions.” 

    In addition to the core sessions, the eight startups met with Afreximbank President, Dr. George Elombi and the senior leadership team for expert-led briefings on a variety of topics.

    The Accelerator Programme offers a differentiated value proposition by combining: 

    • Direct access to Afreximbank’s pan-African network of governments, financial institutions, corporates, and trade partners 
    • Market access and deal facilitation opportunities across key African trade corridors 
    • Regulatory and policy guidance, leveraging the Bank’s relationships with central banks and regulators 
    • Integration pathways into the Bank’s digital trade ecosystem, including the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) and the Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS) 

    This approach positions Afreximbank as a strategic enabler of cross-border trade and continental scale, helping startups navigate licensing, compliance and market entry across multiple jurisdictions. Beyond this, the Bank plays a central role in shaping Africa’s digital trade ecosystem, combining market access, partnerships, and infrastructure to support the growth of scalable, continent-wide solutions. 

    The programme underscores Afreximbank’s growing role as a catalyst for Africa’s trade and innovation ecosystem, providing a structured platform to identify and scale high-impact ventures. Through this initiative, the Bank is actively enabling the development of the digital infrastructure underpinning the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to drive intra-African trade, market integration and economic transformation across the continent. 

    Collectively, the eight start-ups operate across more than 15 African countries, spanning key trade corridors in West, East, North and Southern Africa. Their traction highlights the scale and potential of African innovation. Fluna has facilitated more than US$50 million in trade across 10 countries. Capsa has processed over NGN70 billion in supply chain finance. OnePort 365 connects the Nigeria-Ghana-Kenya trade corridors. Timon supports payments in 15 countries, with plans to expand to 40 countries, and Zowasel has connected more than 4,000 verified cooperatives and agribusinesses. 

    Together, these ventures are building the digital rails for intra-African trade, accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA and unlocking new pathways for economic integration across the continent and the wider Global Africa network.

  • NNPC Ltd Commends Chevron Nigeria Ltd on Successful Awodi-07 Discovery

    NNPC Ltd Commends Chevron Nigeria Ltd on Successful Awodi-07 Discovery

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has congratulated Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture, on the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well located in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.


    The Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of the Joint Venture’s ongoing efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential within its asset portfolio. Drilling operations commenced in late November 2025 and were concluded in mid-December 2025, with all activities executed safely, efficiently, and in strict compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards. Following the completion of comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition, the well was safely secured, bringing the programme to a successful close.


    Results from the well are highly encouraging, confirming a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones. This outcome represents a notable milestone for the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture,on strengthening confidence in the underlying asset and reinforcing the prospectivity of the area. The success of Awodi-07 further highlights the effectiveness of disciplined exploration, sound technical evaluation, and the strong operational collaboration between NNPC Ltd and its Joint Venture partner.


    Commenting on the achievement, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended Chevron Nigeria Limited for its operational excellence, technical competence, and consistent delivery of value.


    He stated: “The success of the Awodi-07 well further reinforces the strength of the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture and our shared commitment to responsibly growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves. This achievement aligns squarely with our strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value for the Nigerian people.”


    Also speaking on the milestone, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, described the Awodi-07 results as a clear demonstration of the value of sustained collaboration, technical rigour, and a stable, enabling operating environment.


    According to him: “This discovery underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act. We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature this opportunity and progress it towards timely development and monetisation.”


    NNPC Limited and Chevron Nigeria Ltd work together under a joint venture agreement to operate several oil and gas fields in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. In this partnership, Chevron owns 40 per cent of the assets, while NNPC Limited holds the remaining share. The arrangement allows both companies to combine resources, expertise, and investment to develop Nigeria’s oil and gas resources more effectively.


    Through this collaboration, the partners aim to increase oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, which would support government revenue, create jobs, and contribute to the country’s energy supply.

  • Nigeria urged to champion regional transit guarantee scheme in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

    Nigeria urged to champion regional transit guarantee scheme in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

    …Under the Afreximbank African Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme, a single transit bond is issued to secure customs duties, significantly reducing bureaucratic hurdles and facilitating smoother cross-border trade

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has urged Nigeria to champion the implementation of an effective regional transit guarantee scheme under the new transit regulation endorsed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Delivering a keynote address at the inaugural session of the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (Customs PACT) held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 17 to 19 November, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, highlighted the challenges imposed by the current interstate road transit regime in the region. Key among them is the lack of a regional transit guarantee, leading to overdependence on physical escort of goods in transit by customs which drives up costs and results in inefficiencies.

    Mrs. Awani said that Afreximbank was keen on working with Nigeria, ECOWAS and the ECOWAS Bank of Investment and Development to support the region to implement an effective regional transit guarantee system, which would complement the efforts of national insurers and chambers of commerce, and empower them to increase their capacity.

    She said the Bank is currently implementing a US$1-billion transit guarantee scheme to facilitate the movement of goods across Africa by addressing persistent transit challenges and responding to the concerns of customs authorities about the risk of goods entering markets illegally, and about potential loss of customs duties and taxes.

    Mrs. Awani explained that, under the Afreximbank African Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme, a single transit bond is issued to secure customs duties, significantly reducing bureaucratic hurdles and facilitating smoother cross-border trade, with the elimination of the need for multiple transit bonds enhancing trade efficiency and substantially lowering business costs.

    She added that the scheme was already being implemented in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the East African Community (COMESA) under a US$300-million facility with ZEP RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), a reinsurer based in Nairobi, Kenya. Mrs Awani highlighted that the scheme would save at least US$300 million annually in transit costs when fully implemented at a continental level.

    She said that Afreximbank is open to working with Nigeria and other African countries to establish one-stop-border-posts and related infrastructure, building on its experience at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe. The modernisation of that border post, implemented with support of Afreximbank and other partners, resulted in clearance time at the post dropping from 3-5 days to a maximum of 3 – 5 hours.

    Afreximbank, Mrs. Awani told delegates present, supported the event out of the realisation that unresolved soft infrastructure issues, particularly in customs and trade facilitation, would impede free movement of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) if not addressed. According to Africa Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), she explained, 75 per cent of delays in the movement of goods is due to trade facilitation issues with just 25 per cent attributed to infrastructure gaps.

    She also highlighted the challenge posed by lack of harmonised systems and their interoperability and by national customs systems that do not communicate with each other.

    H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, sent a message of endorsement to the Customs PACT, saying that it aligned perfectly with the Nigerian government’s commitment to fostering regional integration, enhancing trade facilitation and positioning Nigeria and Africa as competitive players in the global economy.

    The Customs PACT roundtable was organized to revolutionise customs and business cooperation, promote intra-African trade and position Africa as a formidable force in global trade. It was organised by the Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with Afreximbank, the AfCFTA Secretariat and supported by the World Customs Organization.

  • CNN celebrates 25 years of Inside Africa with gala premiere screening in Lagos, in partnership with long-term sponsor Zenith Bank

    CNN celebrates 25 years of Inside Africa with gala premiere screening in Lagos, in partnership with long-term sponsor Zenith Bank

    CNN International marked the 25-year milestone of its longest-running feature series Inside Africa by holding a world premiere of the show’s anniversary episode at a gala event with long-term sponsor Zenith Bank in Lagos on 21 November.

    The event celebrated the continued mission of Inside Africa, which tells the stories of innovators, entrepreneurs, tech trailblazers, and artistic visionaries shaping the future of the African continent and beyond. First broadcast in 2000, Inside Africa now airs across TV, digital, and social media platforms to connect with and inspire global audiences.

    The 25th anniversary event was held at the Sky Restaurant, Eko Hotel in Lagos. It featured remarks from Phil Nelson, Executive Vice President of CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) Jim Ovia CFR, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, and CNN Anchor Zain Asher, who alsospoke to Zenith Bank Group Managing Director and CEO Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON about the future of African banking and how Inside Africa has amplified the continent’s stories.

    The event featured a premiere screening of the special anniversary episode of the series celebrating this 25-year milestone, ahead of its airing on CNN International on November 22nd. The episode showcases an interview with Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo, filmed at the newly reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

    Phil Nelson, Executive Vice President, CNNIC, said of the event, “It was a great pleasure to be in Lagos to celebrate the success of CNN’s longest-running feature series. Inside Africa is a key pillar of CNN’s commitment to telling Africa’s stories, and I’m pleased to be continuing to work with our partners at Zenith Bank on the future of the show.”

    Ellana Lee, Group Senior Vice President, GM APAC, and Global Head of Productions at CNN, added, “Over the past 25 years, Inside Africa has evolved alongside the continent it covers, continually finding new ways to highlight Africa’s ingenuity and vibrancy. This impressive milestone, and every episode over the last quarter of a century, are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the producers, writers, editors, and photojournalists who bring this esteemed show to CNN’s global audience.”

    Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, noted that, “Zenith Bank is proud to partner with CNN International to celebrate 25 years of Inside Africa, a testament to the power of storytelling and innovation in shaping Africa’s narrative. As a bank, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote Africa’s growth and development, and we are delighted that Inside Africa has become a beacon of inspiration for entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders across the continent.”

    marked the 25-year milestone of its longest-running feature series Inside Africa by holding a world premiere of the show’s anniversary episode at a gala event with long-term sponsor Zenith Bank in Lagos on 21 November.

    The event celebrated the continued mission of Inside Africa, which tells the stories of innovators, entrepreneurs, tech trailblazers, and artistic visionaries shaping the future of the African continent and beyond. First broadcast in 2000, Inside Africa now airs across TV, digital, and social media platforms to connect with and inspire global audiences.

    The 25th anniversary event was held at the Sky Restaurant, Eko Hotel in Lagos. It featured remarks from Phil Nelson, Executive Vice President of CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) Jim Ovia CFR, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, and CNN Anchor Zain Asher, who alsospoke to Zenith Bank Group Managing Director and CEO Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON about the future of African banking and how Inside Africa has amplified the continent’s stories.

    The event featured a premiere screening of the special anniversary episode of the series celebrating this 25-year milestone, ahead of its airing on CNN International on November 22nd. The episode showcases an interview with Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo, filmed at the newly reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

    Phil Nelson, Executive Vice President, CNNIC, said of the event, “It was a great pleasure to be in Lagos to celebrate the success of CNN’s longest-running feature series. Inside Africa is a key pillar of CNN’s commitment to telling Africa’s stories, and I’m pleased to be continuing to work with our partners at Zenith Bank on the future of the show.”

    Ellana Lee,Group Senior Vice President, GM APAC, and Global Head of Productions at CNN, added, “Over the past 25 years, Inside Africa has evolved alongside the continent it covers, continually finding new ways to highlight Africa’s ingenuity and vibrancy. This impressive milestone, and every episode over the last quarter of a century, are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the producers, writers, editors, and photojournalists who bring this esteemed show to CNN’s global audience.”

    Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON,Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, noted that, “Zenith Bank is proud to partner with CNN International to celebrate 25 years of Inside Africa, a testament to the power of storytelling and innovation in shaping Africa’s narrative. As a bank, we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote Africa’s growth and development, and we are delighted that Inside Africa has become a beacon of inspiration for entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders across the continent.”

  • Tetra Pak Launches Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ to Make Factories AI-Ready

    Tetra Pak Launches Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ to Make Factories AI-Ready

    …Tetra Pak’s next-generation Automation and Digitalisation portfolio, Tetra Pak® FactoryOS™, delivers contextualised, real-time insights for smarter, faster decision-making in food and beverage production.

    Tetra Pak today unveiled its next-generation Automation and Digitalisation (A&D) portfolio, Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ at Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai. This new suite of modular, open and scalable smart factory technologies will transform food and beverage (F&B) production and lay the foundation for AI-ready factories.

    A recent comparative study1 shows that highly automated beverage factories achieve 20% higher overall equipment effectiveness, 45% lower product waste and 20% fewer packaging line stops compared to less automated facilities. Yet, many producers struggle to adopt automation due to limited digital expertise and difficulty of finding a holistic end-to-end solution providers with industry expertise2. Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ bridges this gap, by combining advanced technologies with deep food and beverage know-how to help producers tackle cost pressures, meet sustainability goals, and prepare for AI-driven manufacturing.

    At the heart of the next-generation portfolio is a new data integration platform, powered by open technologies, powerful analytics and industry standards. It connects equipment and systems throughout the factory, transforming fragmented data into one unified, real-time view. This can empower food and beverage producers to deliver consistent product quality, enhance efficiency, reduce utility usage, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO)3.

    Sean Sims, Vice President, Automation & Solutions at Tetra Pak comments: “Today, food and beverage producers are under enormous pressure. They must deliver more with fewer resources – less water, less energy, less waste – all while maintaining quality and reducing costs.

    “Our next-generation portfolio transforms complexity into clarity. By combining contextualised data – the foundation of effective AI adoption – with high performing equipment automation, Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ gives food and beverage producers the confidence to act decisively in an increasingly volatile market.”

    Charles Brand, Executive Vice President, Processing Solutions & Equipment at Tetra Pak, adds: “Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ is more than a technology portfolio – it embodies our vision for the future of food and beverage manufacturing. Designed for the next decade and beyond, it enables producers to build the factory of the future, where resilience, efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.”

    Designed for flexibility and scalability, Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ allows F&B producers to adopt automation and digitalisation at their own pace: starting small, scaling up, and tailoring solutions to their unique requirements.

    Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ standardises data collection across all equipment, regardless of age or supplier, ensuring full compatibility and scalability. Other key features include a unified user experience that enables seamless interaction across lines, equipment and control rooms; a suite of digital applications for real-time monitoring of materials, quality, production and asset performance; and enterprise-level insights powered by contextualised, factory-wide integration.

    Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the portfolio is supported by a robust ecosystem including Siemens, Rockwell Automation and Inductive Automation – but it’s Tetra Pak’s deep food production expertise that ensures these technologies deliver real impact for food producers.

    Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ is available globally and will be showcased at Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai, 4-6 November.

  • Strategic Alliances Key to Downstream Sector Growth – NNPC Ltd

    Strategic Alliances Key to Downstream Sector Growth – NNPC Ltd

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has emphasized that forging strategic partnerships remains vital to unlocking value, achieving sustainability, and advancing commercialization within the nation’s downstream petroleum sector.

    Group CEO, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who was represented by the Executive Vice President, Downstream, Mr. Mumuni Dagazau, disclosed this in an address during the 2025 Inaugural Annual Downstream Petroleum Week, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), on Tuesday.

    ‎Describing Nigeria’s downstream landscape as one shaped by transition, opportunity, and strategic reform, Ojulari stressed the importance of collaboration as a yardstick to sustainable energy future.

    He noted that Africa’s energy demand is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with Nigeria at the forefront. This, he said, calls for coordinated efforts and collective responsibility to harness emerging opportunities and ensure inclusive, long-term sectoral growth.

    ‎‎On the domestic front, he reaffirmed NNPC Ltd.’s commitment to ensuring consistent fuel availability, competitive pricing, and uncompromising quality assurance across all its retail network nationwide.

    ‎‎”The opportunity to create sustainable economy for today and the future is hinged on supply partnership, infrastructure co-investments, security partnerships, host community cooperation and operational alliance. Everyone needs to get involved in the activities that will ultimately create a sustainably promising future for Nigeria,” he said.

    ‎‎Ojulari also commended the National Assembly and the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) for convening the strategic forum, assuring that as a commercial and national energy entity, NNPC Ltd., remains committed to fostering stakeholder engagement and advancing collaborative models for sector-wide growth.

    ‎The event, held at the National Assembly Complex, was themed “Celebrating Our Successes, Confronting Our Challenges, and Finding Solutions for the Petroleum Downstream Sector.” Downstream sector players and legislators attended.

  • Basketball Africa League and Afreximbank expand multi-year collaboration to Empower young professionals in Africa

    Basketball Africa League and Afreximbank expand multi-year collaboration to Empower young professionals in Africa

    …The BAL and Afreximbank also held a BAL4Her camp for 20 U-23 female athletes from the local community at Staouéli Court in Algiers from Sept. 5-6

    The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), a leading pan-African multilateral financial institution dedicated to financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade, on Saturday announced an expansion of their multi-year collaboration to launch a series of initiatives to empower young basketball professionals in Africa by improving their capabilities in finance and supporting the continent’s creative industries.

    The expanded collaboration was announced at the ongoing fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algeria by BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, during a signing ceremony held as part of Afreximbank’s ongoing Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) taking place as part of IATF2025.

    With the expansion, Afreximbank will build on its existing support for BAL Advance – the league’s program to strengthen financial literacy and leadership skills among BAL players and coaches – by introducing “BAL Advance: Next Play” during the league’s sixth season tipping off in 2026.  Through targeted business workshops and strategic networking opportunities, the new initiative will help BAL players and coaches develop their entrepreneurial skills and leverage their unique perspectives to drive innovation and growth across Africa’s sports ecosystem.

    For the first time, Afreximbank will also support the development of emerging professionals in the sports industry through BAL Future Pros, the league’s year-round program to equip early-career talent across Africa with the skills, experience and networks to build successful careers.  Online applications for the program will open later in September on the NBA Careers and BAL websites.  The selected participants will be integrated into various BAL departments by the end of the year.

    Following the signing ceremony, Fall and Mr. Temwa Gondwe, Afreximbank Director, Creatives and Diaspora, participated in a thought leadership discussion and masterclass on the business of sport hosted by 2011 NBA champion and BAL Ambassador Ian Mahinmi.  The BAL and Afreximbank also held a BAL4Her camp for 20 U-23 female athletes from the local community at Staouéli Court in Algiers from Sept. 5-6.

    “Our longstanding collaboration with Afreximbank is part of our commitment to using basketball as an economic growth engine and the BAL as a platform to develop and showcase African excellence,” said Fall.  “We look forward to continuing to work with Afreximbank in our efforts to further grow the African basketball ecosystem and the continent’s broader sports industry.”

    Commenting on the expanded collaboration, Mrs. Awani highlighted the important contribution the BAL is making in advancing the African creatives sector.

    “Afreximbank is committed to supporting the BAL’s premier networking and thought-leadership events, including the league’s annual Innovation Summit,” said Mrs. Awani.  “We will also support the launch of a new content series celebrating African fashion designers in sports that is set to debut soon.”

  • Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 Welcomes Dangote Group as Official Premier Partner

    Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 Welcomes Dangote Group as Official Premier Partner

    Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025), Africa’s premier trade and investment forum, is excited to announce Dangote Group as an official Premier Partner. As one of Africa’s leading industrial conglomerates, with over 18 subsidiaries operating across a wide spectrum of sectors critical to the continent’s economic transformation – including cement, fertilisers, petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, sugar, salt, and logistics, Dangote Group will be a key partner for IATF at its fourth edition to be held in Algiers, Algeria from 4-10 September 2025.


    The biennial IATF, hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and organised by Afreximbank in partnership with African Union Commission and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, aims to increase intra-African trade and showcase the investment opportunities across Africa.

    The fourth edition will feature a wide participation of production and service companies, alongside an investment and trade forum highlighting Africa’s potential for economic integration. During the week-long fair, more than 2,000 exhibitors, including businesses from the African continent and globally, will showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging trade and market information. This is projected to translate into over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals.

    Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank said: “We are delighted to welcome Dangote Group as an Official Premier Partner of IATF2025. As a beacon of African industrial excellence, Dangote Group continues to shape the continent’s economic trajectory through bold investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, and regional value chains. Afreximbank is proud to have supported their transformative projects – including the landmark Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex and Dangote Fertiliser Plant – through tailored financing and advisory solutions.

    According to the Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, “Our partnership with IATF is built on a shared vision of commitment to advancing Africa’s economic growth. Having experienced the tangible impact of IATF2023, we are proud to build on that momentum as a Premier Partner for IATF2025. This platform continues to drive meaningful connections and opportunities across the continent, and we look forward to contributing to its success once again in Algiers.”

    “This strategic partnership underscores our shared commitment to building a self-reliant, prosperous Africa where intra-African trade is the cornerstone of growth. Together, we aim to unlock new frontiers of opportunity and position Africa as a global hub of production, innovation, and trade,” Chiejina added.

    Dangote Group, founded in Nigeria in 1978, is playing a key role in reshaping Africa’s industrial landscape. As one of the continent’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, Dangote drives sustainable development through transformative investments in cement, agriculture, food production, and energy. With a commitment to innovation and self-sufficiency, the Group has empowered millions of Africans, boosted regional economies, and spearheaded infrastructure and manufacturing growth.

  • Afreximbank Annual Meetings record project preparation deals expected to unlock about US$ 1.0 billion in investments

    Afreximbank Annual Meetings record project preparation deals expected to unlock about US$ 1.0 billion in investments

    …attracted an estimated 8,000 participants, including presidents, prime ministers, ministers and business leaders, from across Africa, the Caribbean and beyond

    The 32nd Annual Meetings of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), also known as AAM2025, witnessed a flurry of deal signings with four project preparation transactions signed between the Bank and various entities that are expected to unlock investments valued at about US$ 1.0 billion.

    In an agreement signed by Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, for Afreximbank, and Mrs. Temwani Simwaka, CEO, for NBS Bank Plc (NBS), Malawi, the two institutions executed a Joint Project Preparation Facility Framework Agreement under which they will pool resources to provide early project preparatory financing to progress projects in Malawi from pre-feasibility stage to bankability in a timely manner.

    As set out in the agreement, Afreximbank and NBS will support public and private sector investors by availing financing and technical support services to de-risk projects in priority sectors, including energy, transport and logistics, logistical platforms (such as special economic zones and industrial parks), manufacturing, agro-processing, hospitality and tourism, extractives, solid minerals, and services (such as ICT, healthcare, and creative economy). Embedded in the framework agreement is a capacity building programme that will empower NBS staff to undertake project preparation activities in the medium term.

    Afreximbank and NBS expect to bring onstream investments of about US$ 300 million in Malawi in the near term.

    In another transaction, Afreximbank signed a US$ 4.4-million Project Preparation Facility Agreement in favour of Med Aditus Pharmaceutical Kenya Limited. The facility will be deployed to finance the preparation of feasibility and bankability studies towards the development of a state-of-the-art fill and finish pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, with a production capacity of at least two billion tablets and capsules per annum, located in Kibos, Kisumu County, Kenya.

    The project will improve access to quality, affordable life-saving medicines across the Great Lakes region, contributing to better health outcomes in a region that contends with heavy loads of infectious and other diseases. The project will also facilitate medical and manufacturing blockchain technology transfer to Africa, supporting the long-term growth and strengthening the wider region’s health sector. The project preparation facility will bring onstream assets of about US$ 40 million.

    Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, signed the agreement on behalf of Afreximbank while Dr. Dhiren Thakker, Founder and CEO of Med Aditus Pharma, signed for his company.

    Afreximbank also signed a Heads of Terms agreement for a US$4.4-million project preparation facility in favour of Green Hybrid Power Private Limited. The facility will be deployed towards the preparation of bankability and feasibility studies and procurement of transaction advisors for a 1-Gigawatt (GW) hybrid floating solar photovoltaic power system on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.

    The project, to be implemented in two phases, includes a pilot phase targeting a generation capacity of 500 MW to be sold wholly to the Intensive Energy Users Group, a consortium of blue-chip industrial and mining energy users in Zimbabwe, under a “take-or-pay” 20-year power purchase agreement with a cost-reflective tariff. The project is expected to supply affordable and reliable power that will support value-addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe’s minerals, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

    The project preparation facility will unlock an investment estimated at US$ 350 million.

    Signing the agreement were Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, on behalf of Afreximbank, and Mr. Eddie Cross, Chairman, for Green Hybrid Power Private Limited.

    Afreximbank, in addition, signed a Project Preparation Facility Heads of Terms Agreement of US$ 4.0 million in favour of Proton Energy Limited, a Nigerian independent power producer. The facility will be deployed towards financing the preparation of feasibility studies and procurement of transaction advisory services for the development of a grid-connected gas-fired power plant with a nameplate capacity of 500 MW in Sapele, Nigeria. The project will commence with an initial generation capacity of 150 MW.

    The project will evacuate the electricity generated primarily to Eko Electricity Distribution Company under a 20-year power purchase agreement with a cost-reflective tariff.

    The facility is expected to bring on stream assets estimated at US$ 300 million.

    Signing the agreement were Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, on behalf of Afreximbank, and Mr. Oti Ikomi, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, for Proton Energy Limited.

    AAM2025 took place from 25 to 28 June and attracted an estimated 8,000 participants, including presidents, prime ministers, ministers and business leaders, from across Africa, the Caribbean and beyond. It ended with the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders where Dr. George Elombi was appointed the next President of the Bank who succeeds Prof. Benedict Oramah whose tenure is ending after two five-year terms in the position.  

  • Leading brands showcase SAP-fuelled AI, cloud innovation at Sapphire 2025

    Leading brands showcase SAP-fuelled AI, cloud innovation at Sapphire 2025

    Leading global brands showcased their successful innovation and business transformation initiatives at this year’s SAP Sapphire, a flagship business and technology event held in Madrid, Spain from 26 to 28 May.

    Sapphire is SAP’s top customer annual customer event, bringing together customers, partners and business leaders to discover the latest SAP innovations. This year’s event unveiled several innovations that put the power of Business AI in every user’s hands, revolutionising the way work gets done.

    Nazia Pillay, Interim Managing Director for South Africa at SAP, says: “Organisations are leveraging powerful new technologies and integrated business applications to drive innovation-fuelled growth across the enterprise. The growing power of Business AI applications that draw on trusted business data is already proving to be a transformative force for companies seeking enhanced decision-making and greater efficiency.”

    Unleashing power of Business AI

    Several brands unveiled successful Business AI initiatives built on SAP technologies. Global brewer Heineken was looking to streamline data access so business users could quickly find and analyse data in their preferred language. The company developed Hoppy, an AI-driven chatbot that runs on SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), representing a significant leap forward in Heineken’s commitment to streamline internal processes and empower its workforce.

    Since Hoppy was introduced within the company’s collaboration platforms, Heineken has seen the time knowledge workers need to retrieve information fall to 1 minute from 15 minutes. With SAP Business AI capabilities at Hoppy’s core, Heineken also is exploring automating repetitive tasks to enhance business processes and streamline communications and decision-making. And with a unified view across its data, Hoppy can now flag missing cost centre information in purchase orders to improve efficiency and accuracy.

    Competitive gaming organisation Team Liquid is using SAP’s Joule agents to provide instant access to game statistics, player performance trends and strategic comparisons using natural language. Team Liquid runs its data analysis through its Next Level Esports Centre dashboard, built entirely on SAP BTP.

    The team’s analysts rely on the dashboard to equip coaches and players with insights about upcoming opponents, managing high-pressure situations under short turnaround times and frequent data requests between games.

    Victor Goossens, co-CEO and founder of Team Liquid, says: “This partnership is changing the way we utilise our extensive database, proving that AI and data integration are becoming a vital part of our game preparation and success in esports.”

    Scaling new heights with cloud

    Moving from a heavily customised on-premises landscape to a standardised one in the cloud, CAF, a global leader in urban rail and bus systems, has successfully migrated to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition. CAF has smoothly integrated SAP solutions into core business functions including master data management, record to report, source to pay, and sales and transport.

    “CAF is now set for future success, as our new technology landscape allows us to better comply with business requirements in a complex and fast-changing market,” said Guillermo Apellániz, CAF’s digital transformation director.

    Companies RISE to business transformation challenges

    For companies still operating with on-premise solutions, RISE with SAP offers the optimal path to a cloud ERP landscape. RISE with SAP helps companies confidently transform their business, enable continuous innovation, and realise value faster.

    Global medical technology company Siemens Healthineers selected RISE with SAP to support its digital transformation journey.

    Stefan Henkel, Chief Information Officer at Siemens Healthineers, says: “By embracing SAP technology, we will be able to reduce complexity and highly standardise our processes while delivering on our promise to pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare.”

    Xerox also chose RISE with SAP to move to the cloud and embark on the clean core approach to streamline operations across markets and business processes. The company expects to reduce IT costs and enable the delivery of new business models in line with the changing demands of the industry.

    Louie Pastor, Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation and Administrative Officer at Xerox, says: “SAP is a strategic partner helping us meet the evolving needs of our clients and partners as we increase our speed, agility and cost-effectiveness while providing the entire enterprise with modern tools and improved support. “

  • Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) unveils third edition of short film competition

    Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) unveils third edition of short film competition

    …Filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35 years can enter the competition for a chance to win a cash prize of $2,000 for outstanding work in each of the competition’s three categories: Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best Animation

    Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an intervention by African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the third edition of its vibrant short film competition, CANEX Shorts, that is designed to recognise and celebrate talents of young filmmakers from Africa and the Diaspora.  

    Filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35 years can enter the competition for a chance to win a cash prize of $2,000 for outstanding work in each of the competition’s three categories: Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best Animation. To be eligible, they must be Africans living on the continent, in the diaspora or the Caribbean. Each filmmaker can only enter one film for which they must hold all rights. The entered films should have been produced in 2023 or after and can be in any language.  

    Besides the cash prize, CANEX Shorts winners will also get an opportunity to participate and have their films screened at CANEX at IATF2025, which will take place in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 – 10 September 2025. This will also provide them with a chance to connect with potential investors and partners in what has become the largest gathering of creatives on the continent. 

    To enter the competition, filmmakers are required to submit their films, not more than five minutes long, via the Film Freeway digital platform (https://FilmFreeway.com/CANEXShorts). From all entries, the selection committee will curate a shortlist of 30 films – 10 films per category for submission to the jury that comprises, well-respected film experts from across the continent. The jury will then select a winning film in each of the categories during CANEX at IATF2025. 

    The 2024 CANEX shorts winners were unveiled at CANEX WKND 2024. The winning films were: Silent Screams by Esenaga Mbwe (Botswana) in the CANEX Shorts Best Fiction category; We Shall Not Forget by Brian Obra (Kenya) in the CANEX Shorts Best Documentary category; and Room-5 by Francis Y. Brown (Ghana) in the CANEX Shorts Best Animation category. According to the jury, the quality of films submitted during CANEX WKND 2024 was exceptionally high, necessitating award of two Special Mentions: Vodoun Nouminssin and Rain Is Not the Cloud’s Last Parade. 

    CANEX at IATF2025, where the winners will be unveiled, will provide a unique platform for nurturing business, investment opportunities, collaboration, partnerships and inspiration amongst the creatives fraternity across value chains of diverse creative and cultural industries from film, music, and fashion to culinary arts, sports, and visual arts amongst others. The event participants will include creatives, policymakers, financial institutions, business and political leaders, development partners, thought leaders as well as some of the most respected names in the Creative and Cultural Industries from across the continent and the diaspora.  

    Highlighting the importance of the competition, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank said: “Africa’s film industry, estimated at over $5 billion is thriving and brimming with untapped potential,” adding, “At Afreximbank, we are committed to unlocking this immense value by supporting platforms like CANEX Shorts that aim to propel African storytelling to the global stage. By investing in our creatives, we are not only creating jobs and economic opportunities; we’re actively ensuring Africa’s vibrant culture and talents gain global recognition.” 

    To enter the 2025 CANEX Shorts competition, please visit Filmfreeway: https://FilmFreeway.com/CANEXShorts.

  • Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) announces 2nd Edition of The Prize for Publishing in Africa

    Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) announces 2nd Edition of The Prize for Publishing in Africa

    …the prize is open to trade books published by Africa-domiciled publishers in the year preceding the prize, in one or more of the official languages of the African Union: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and any other African language

    Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an intervention by African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) invites African publishers of trade books to apply for the second edition of the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa.

    The initiative, developed in partnership with Narrative Landscape Press Limited, underscores the commitment of Afreximbank through the CANEX Book Factory to showcasing of the literary and publishing value chain in Africa, and developing literary talent across the continent and its diaspora. The inaugural edition saw Cassava Republic Press, win the Prize in 2024 for the “Female Fear Factory: Unveiling Patriarchy’s Culture of Violence,” by Pumla Dineo Gqola.

    The CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa is designed to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions of African publishers and authors to the literary world. The total prize fund is $28,000, with $20,000 awarded to the winner and $2,000 distributed to each of the four finalists. The prize is open to trade books published by Africa-domiciled publishers in the year preceding the prize, in one or more of the official languages of the African Union: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and any other African language.

    Submissions will be judged on the quality of writing, editing and production. Priority will be given to books printed and produced on the African continent, as well as to books published in indigenous African languages. Interested publishers should visit https://apo-opa.co/4hsvFVy to register, with entries open from 17 March – 30 April 2025.

    The CANEX Book Factory is an annual programme of events under Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus initiative. This year’s programme will culminate in an awards ceremony at the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), Africa’s premier trade and investment event, taking place in Algiers, Algeria from 4 – 10 September 2025.

    During the week-long fair, more than 2,000 exhibitors, including businesses from the African continent and globally, will be showcasing their goods and services to the visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging information. This is projected to translate into over US$44 billion in trade and investment deals.

    Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra African Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said, “We are delighted to announce the 2025 CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa. Building on last year’s successful edition, this landmark initiative celebrates African publishing excellence. Through the CANEX Book Factory, we aim to put a spotlight on the enormous contribution of African authors and publishers to Africa’s cultural identity and economy.”

    Dr Eghosa Imasuen, co-founder of Narrative Landscape Press Limited and Programme Manager for the CANEX Book Factory, said, “The first edition of the Prize greatly underscored the necessity of this intervention in the publishing value chain in Africa. We are grateful to Afreximbank and CANEX for their ongoing support of African publishing. We are excited to launch this second edition, and we hope to see submissions from more publishers across the continent than in the inaugural edition.”

  • Access Bank’s Africa Trade Conference Ignites New Era of Intra-Africa Commerce

    Access Bank’s Africa Trade Conference Ignites New Era of Intra-Africa Commerce

    Access Bank PLC successfully hosted the inaugural Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and trade experts to drive solutions for accelerating intra-African trade and unlocking the continent’s economic potential. The conference tackled critical challenges, including limited access to capital, market information gaps, trust deficits between trading partners, and the urgent need for modernised trade infrastructure.

    Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for discussions by highlighting the critical barriers hindering trade across Africa. He emphasised the urgent need for financial sector collaboration to facilitate seamless access to capital and foster a business environment where African enterprises can scale and compete globally.

    “We must invest in the initiatives that ensure that we can bring businesses together, forge trust, and create the connections necessary for trade. In doing so, we must stamp out the narrative that ‘Made in Africa’ is inferior to any product made anywhere else in the world. We must buy Africa, be proud to wear Africa, and invest in Africa because that is what the continent needs to leap forward into the next generation,” Ogbonna stated.

    With Africa’s population projected to surge to 2.5 billion by 2050 from 1.2 billion, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stands as the most significant free trade initiative since the formation of the World Trade Organisation. By fostering economic integration, AfCFTA has the potential to reshape trade dynamics across the continent, creating a unified market that enhances industrialisation, boosts employment, and strengthens Africa’s global competitiveness. Recognising this transformative opportunity, H.E. Wamkele K. Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA, emphasised the urgency of fully implementing the agreement to unlock its immense benefits.

    “The AfCFTA is not just a trade agreement; it is an instrument for Africa’s industrialisation and economic sovereignty. It is a tool that will enable us to break down historic trade barriers and build an Africa that is self-sufficient, competitive, and prosperous. But for this to happen, we must commit to operationalising the agreement fully, ensuring that businesses, particularly SMEs and women-led enterprises, have access to the information, capital, and platforms they need to thrive,” Mene stated.

    Also, Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, emphasised the importance of financing mechanisms that support African businesses in their expansion across borders. She reaffirmed Afreximbank’s commitment to championing trade finance solutions and infrastructure investments that will unlock Africa’s trade potential.

    “At Afreximbank, we understand that trade finance is the lifeblood of economic development. Without it, businesses cannot scale, industries cannot innovate, and Africa cannot fully realise its trade potential. This is why we have developed instruments such as 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 an insightful testimonial from Nathalie Louat, Global Director at the IFC/World Bank Group, who pointed out the pivotal role of trade finance in enabling cross-border transactions and supporting financial inclusion. She underscored the long-standing partnership between IFC and Access Bank in fostering Africa’s economic resilience.

    Several high-level panel discussions explored strategies to overcome trade barriers and enhance market access through innovative solutions. Experts from leading institutions, including Deutsche Bank, Traydstream, OWP Partners, Fiducia International, and more, examined how infrastructure improvements, digital solutions, and policy harmonisation could drive economic growth and boost intra-African trade.

    Dr. Marc Auboin from the World Trade Organization (WTO) shared key insights on how digital transformation is reshaping Africa’s supply chain landscape, creating efficiency and unlocking new global market opportunities. Tanya Dos Santos-Ford from GIBS Business School also led a session on sustainable trade practices, emphasising the need for environmentally responsible economic growth strategies.

    The event culminated in an awards ceremony recognising outstanding contributions to intra-African trade and economic transformation. Tradepass Commodities Limited (Ghana), Chemaf International FZE (DR Congo), and Harvest Group of Companies (Zambia) were honoured for their impact on SMEs and women-led trade enterprises. Bulkstream Limited (Kenya) and Electricidade de Moçambique (Mozambique) received awards for advancing intra-African trade, while Tennant Metals South Africa Pty Ltd was recognised as an Emerging Leader in Trade.

    The International Finance Corporation (IFC) was awarded the Climate Finance Leadership Award, while Afreximbank received the Champion of Intra-African Trade Award. The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) were celebrated for their roles in economic transformation and infrastructure finance, 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.

    As the conference ended, Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries at Access Bank, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting trade finance, fostering regional integration, and championing policies that create an enabling environment for businesses across Africa.