Trade and export development expert, Titi Ojo (NBDSP, PMP®), has emphasized the critical role of digital innovation and strategic investment infrastructure in unlocking Nigeria’s and Africa’s trade potential, particularly as the continent advances toward full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ojo made the remarks on December 4 while moderating the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) Sensitization and Knowledge-Sharing Session, convened by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) at the Africa Trade Centre (AATC), Abuja. The session brought together policymakers, financiers, regulators, and trade practitioners to discuss practical pathways for improving trade facilitation across the continent.
According to Ojo, discussions at the event underscored the need to align Africa’s trade ambitions with robust physical and digital infrastructure. She described the Abuja Africa Trade Centre as a strategic intervention designed to bridge existing gaps in trade facilitation and knowledge exchange.
She noted that the Africa Trade Gateway represents a shift from policy dialogue to practical execution, offering digital solutions aimed at reducing trade friction, improving access to finance, and strengthening trust in cross-border transactions. Ojo added that for Nigerian businesses, competitiveness increasingly depends on efficient execution in areas such as documentation, regulatory compliance, payments, and coordination.
Ojo further described the Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre in Abuja as a purpose-built facility equipped with modern infrastructure, digital platforms, and tailored services intended to position it as a leading regional hub for trade facilitation. She encouraged exporters, financiers, policymakers, and trade support professionals to actively engage with the Centre and leverage its offerings in the coming year.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to moderate the session, Ojo reaffirmed her commitment to advancing practical, evidence-based trade solutions. She stated that she looks forward to continued collaboration and further engagements in 2026 that translate policy dialogue into measurable trade outcomes.
