Auboin, Awani, Mene, Quaynor to Lead Conversations at Access Bank’s Africa Trade Conference

 

 

Cape Town, South Africa - Tuesday, March 11, 2025: Access Bank PLC, Africa’s leading financial institution, today, announced a distinguished line-up of speakers for the maiden edition of its highly anticipated Africa Trade Conference 2025, set to hold on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), South Africa. Under the theme “Empowering Africa: Driving Trade, Innovation, and Sustainable Prosperity”, the conference will convene some of the most influential figures in global finance, trade, and economic development to discuss the future of commerce and investment across the continent.

 

H.E. Wamkele K. Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), will deliver the keynote address, exploring how Africa can fully harness the AfCFTA to drive economic growth and industrialisation. The event will also feature a presentation from Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), who will analyse the opportunities and challenges shaping Africa’s trade landscape.

 

Further insights will come from Solomon Quaynor, Vice President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who will examine the role of trade facilitation in economic growth, and Dr. Marc Auboin, Counsellor for Economic Research and Statistics at the World Trade Organization (WTO), who will discuss the impact of digitisation and innovation on global supply chains.

 

Adding further depth to the discussions, experts from leading multinational financial institutions will weigh in on strategies for enhancing Africa’s competitiveness in global markets. Florian Wicht, Regional Lead for Africa, Trade & Supply Chain Finance at IFC, alongside Kristina Holzhauser, Managing Director for Regional FI Africa & Middle East at Commerzbank AG; Ferdinand Zaumu, Managing Director, Head of Trade & Working Capital Solutions for the Middle East and Africa at Citibank, and Shyamasish Acharya, Resident Representative, India EXIM Bank, will provide perspectives on financing solutions to unlock trade potential. Meanwhile, Eduardo Barbosa, CFO of Grupo Naval, along with other industry leaders, will share practical insights from the private sector on navigating Africa’s evolving trade and logistics environment.

 

Tanya Dos Santos-Ford, Faculty Lead on Climate Leadership and Sustainability at GIBS Business School, who will lead  discussion on the intersection of trade and sustainability, is billed to explore how Africa can balance trade expansion with environmental responsibility. Additionally, industry leaders such as Marcelo Mendes, Head of

 

Commercial at Tennant Metals South Africa, and Lodewyk Meyer, Director of Banking and Finance at OWP Partners, will offer perspectives on how businesses can capitalise on Africa’s growing trade opportunities while mitigating risks.

 

With an agenda designed to foster actionable solutions and strategic partnerships, the Africa Trade Conference 2025 is set to be a defining event for business leaders, investors, and policymakers working to unlock Africa’s vast trade potential.

 

Interested participants can take part in the discourse by visiting https://africatradeconference.accessbankplc.com/.

 

 

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About Access Bank PLC

 

Access Bank PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning 3 continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE.

 

Access Bank’s parent company, Access Holdings PLC, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998 (now Nigerian Exchange (NGX)). The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 20 years, becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks.

 

As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable

 

economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.

 

 

About Africa Trade Conference

 

Africa Trade Conference serves as a dynamic platform where industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders across the trade ecosystem come together to shape the future of commerce on the continent. By fostering dialogue on innovative trade solutions, sustainable practices, and market-expanding strategies, the forum underscores Access Bank's commitment to unlocking Africa's immense potential.

 

Participants will engage in insightful discussions, forge strategic partnerships, and explore opportunities that drive inclusive growth, positioning Africa as a pivotal player in global trade.

 

Access Bank invites you to join industry leaders, innovators, and other key players across Africa's trade ecosystem at the Africa Trade Conference 2025.