Zenith Bank Plc will hold the 10th edition of its International Trade Seminar on Non-Oil Export on Tuesday, 25 August 2026. This event will bring together important policymakers, regulators, exporters, manufacturers, investors, and others to discuss ways to boost Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
The seminar is themed "Unlocking Value and Harnessing Growth in Non-Oil Export". It will focus on how Nigeria can go beyond just exporting raw materials. The aim is to create globally competitive value chains, improve market access, enhance trade infrastructure and financing, and increase the role of non-oil exports in driving economic growth.
The event will have a strong lineup of guest speakers. They include H E Wamkele Mene, the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat; Mrs Patricia Poku-Diaby, the Chief Executive Officer of Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited; and Professor Benedict Oramah, the former President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
There will also be two panel discussions featuring voices from both the public and private sectors. The first panel will focus on public sector views. It will have key players working on Nigeria’s trade, export, investment, and economic development. Panelists include Mr Abba Bello, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank); Mr Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service; Ms Aderinola Shonekan, the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department at the Central Bank of Nigeria; Mrs Aisha Rimi, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); and Mrs Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
The second panel will highlight private sector insights. It will include Mr Adeniji Adeyemi, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Starlink Global & Ideal Limited; Mr Sada Ladan-Baki, the Group Executive Director at Dangote Group; Mr Bamidele Ayemibo, a Senior Consultant at 3T Impex Trade Centre; Mr Mobolaji Salako, the Managing Director of Terra Aqua Environmental Consultancy Nigeria Limited; Mr Ramzi Taher, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of RMM Global; and Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lelook Nigeria Limited.
The discussions will cover topics like trade facilitation, export financing, customs efficiency, port efficiency, regulations, market access, and how Nigerian businesses can compete better in local and global markets.
A major point of discussion will be the African Continental Free Trade Area. This agreement could open bigger markets for Nigerian goods and services while boosting trade within Africa. With the AfCFTA giving access to a market of over one billion people, the seminar will look at how Nigerian businesses can take advantage of regional integration, build strong value chains, and capture new opportunities across the continent.
Zenith Bank has been a strong advocate for discussions on trade and economic growth. The bank is committed to helping businesses engage more effectively in trade both regionally and internationally. They have also partnered with the AfCFTA Secretariat to promote cross-border trade and expand business opportunities in Africa.
Now in its 10th edition, the Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar has become a key platform for discussions on Nigeria’s trade and export issues. Over the years, it has brought together government officials, regulators, businesses, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to explore new trends, identify challenges, and suggest practical solutions for Nigeria to strengthen its position in global trade.
The 2026 edition will continue this tradition. It will gather influential voices to tackle one big question: how can Nigeria get more value from its non-oil exports and turn its potential into real economic growth?
The seminar will be held virtually and streamed live on platforms like Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. This will allow participants from Nigeria and around the world to join the discussions. Interested participants can register at our WEBSITE.
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