There are indications that intra-Africa trade is gaining momentum, driven by stronger financial industry initiatives aimed at integrating the continent’s economies. Nigeria’s banking industry appears to be at the forefront, with a total of 47 subsidiaries across the continent. This reach is providing the necessary financial backing as governments reduce sovereign barriers through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Access Bank PLC, a prominent financial institution in Africa, is demonstrating its commitment to driving economic integration through its extensive network, with subsidiaries in approximately 16 African countries. This continental reach is complemented by eight other subsidiaries outside Africa, expanding opportunities for African entrepreneurs on a global scale.

The bank has introduced its initiative to realize the vision of a common continental market by facilitating seamless financial transactions across borders. The bank’s Africa Trade Conference (ATC) 2026, scheduled for March 11 in Cape Town, South Africa, marks the second edition of this strategic conference. It is designed to build on the existing momentum with ministerial panels, investor sessions, innovation showcases, and policy-aligned workshops to advance AfCFTA implementation, strengthen trade finance and payment systems, unlock capital flows, and deliver tangible intra-African and global trade outcomes.

Access Bank’s GMD/CEO, Roosevelt Ogbonna, and Executive Director, Seyi Kumapayi, emphasized the need for Africa to develop its own trade finance architecture, strengthen cross-border payment and regulatory systems, and leverage institutional scale to minimize friction for SMEs and large corporates—transitioning from mere presence to the purposeful integration of African markets.

Ogbonna stated, “Africa will not be a spectator in the remaking of global trade,” and added, “Africa cannot keep waiting for global systems to accommodate it on fair terms. We must design our own pathways, build our own trade finance architecture, and grow our own institutions to global standards. Not in isolation from the world, but on our own terms.” He positioned Africa as a serious economic player that needs to confidently claim its place in global trade, rather than being viewed as a charity case.

Kumapayi noted that three major barriers continue to impede African trade: limited access to affordable finance, lack of reliable information, and weak trust between trading partners. He stated: “These challenges help explain why trade between African countries remains stuck at about 16 per cent of total trade, far below potential.”

In the current global economic environment, trade is evolving, with supply chains being restructured as countries seek trusted partners and alternative production hubs. Africa, with a population of approximately 1.3 billion, a combined GDP of roughly $3 trillion, and vast natural resources, presents significant opportunities. However, these opportunities require strong financial systems, efficient infrastructure, clear regulations, and modern technology to be realized.

Access Bank recognizes this, describing ATC 2026 as a meeting point for policy, finance, technology, and business, rather than just a banking event. For Nigeria, the benefits of this strategy are substantial. As Access Bank expands across 24 countries, including 16 in Africa, it is creating a network that simplifies and reduces the cost of cross-border trade for Nigerian businesses. Payments become smoother, risks are better managed, and trade documentation is easier to handle. The bank has already mobilized about $2 billion from development finance institutions for long-term lending across Africa. If effectively deployed, this funding can help close Africa’s estimated $81 billion annual trade finance gap.

For Nigerian manufacturers, farmers, and exporters, this means more than just numbers; it means access to working capital, supply chain finance, and trade guarantees that enable them to compete beyond Nigeria’s borders. It also includes support in meeting international standards, a significant challenge for Nigeria’s non-oil exports. Through ATC 2026, exporters can directly engage with regulators, certification agencies, logistics firms, and buyers from other markets, helping to remove barriers that paperwork alone cannot resolve.

The conference also fosters innovation by showcasing Nigerian fintech firms, agritech startups, and logistics solutions to investors and partners. Technology is increasingly vital to modern trade, and ATC 2026 will focus on how digital tools, such as faster payment systems and smarter credit assessments, can reduce costs and speed up transactions. Studies suggest that digital trade solutions could reduce trade costs by up to 15 per cent, offering significant gains for small and medium-sized businesses.

Other African economies are also set to benefit. Access Bank’s recent expansions and acquisitions have strengthened its presence in Southern, Eastern, and Central Africa. Hosting the conference in Cape Town for the second time underscores South Africa’s role as a key gateway economy. It also opens the door to regional trade models where Nigerian capital, South African infrastructure, and regional supply chains can work together. Countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo could benefit from these linked value chains, particularly in agriculture, energy, and mining.

While most African countries have signed and ratified the AfCFTA agreement, implementation remains uneven, with rules of origin, tariff schedules, and the removal of non-tariff barriers progressing slowly. ATC 2026 provides an informal yet powerful platform for policymakers and regulators to engage directly with businesses and financiers, often achieving more than formal negotiations by focusing on practical solutions. By providing the financial and operational tools needed for cross-border trade, Access Bank helps translate political agreements into tangible economic activity.

Another key focus of the conference is inclusion. Women and young people own a large share of small businesses across Africa, yet they are often excluded from trade finance. SMEs account for over 80 percent of employment across the continent but receive only a small share of available trade finance. ATC 2026 will explore new financing models, such as supply chain finance and receivables discounting, to expand access to capital. This is both a social goal and an economic necessity for scaling up intra-continental trade.

The conference also takes place against growing global competition for African markets. Major powers are expanding their trade and investment initiatives across the continent. While these partnerships bring opportunities, they also carry risks. An African-led platform like ATC 2026 helps ensure that external engagements align with Africa’s own development priorities, reinforcing the idea that Africa should trade with the world on its own terms, adding value locally rather than exporting raw materials alone.

Importantly, ATC 2026 emphasizes action, with its theme focusing on “real-world impact” to move beyond declarations to execution. Trade is built on relationships, trust, and continuity. By combining business discussions with cultural and networking activities, the conference recognizes that deals are often sealed through sustained engagement rather than one-off meetings. With platforms like ATC 2026, Africa is no longer just a spectator in global trade but an active participant shaping its own future.