Seeking to address issues impeding international trade operations and facilitate seamless trade, Wema Bank recently hosted its first physical importer-exporter forum in Lagos, Nigeria. The event brought together key players in the trade ecosystem to discuss solutions and launched the Wema Export Trade Academy to nurture the next generation of trade champions.
With Nigeria’s total foreign trade rising to N18.80 trillion in Q3 2023, per statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, Wema Bank Managing Director Moruf Oseni highlighted the bank’s dedication to empowering businesses through cutting-edge solutions. “We aim to create new trade success stories by providing the right tools, knowledge, and partnerships to translate our entrepreneurial potential into tangible results,” he said.
The forum specifically addressed building a symbiotic trade ecosystem for effective decisions. Key regulatory bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also shared insight into overcoming monetary challenges. The CBN Director of Trade and Exchange, Dr. Mahmud Hassan, noted the bank’s role in oversight through mandates like price stability and reserve maintenance to safeguard the naira.
The launch of the virtual Wema Export Trade Academy offers a new educational facility for aspiring international traders to gain the knowledge needed for success. Cardinal Touch Company MD David Olurin shared how Wema Bank’s trade services and financing solutions helped his expansion into new markets, fueling growth aspirations for non-oil exports.
With innovation and collaboration, Wema Bank seeks to empower Nigeria’s trade sector, boost foreign exchange earnings, and inspire new trade champions to propel the country forward as a global leader. The Importer-Exporter Forum and Trade Academy demonstrate meaningful platforms for continued progress.