Out of 253 participants undergoing the Export Readiness Training Programme in Lagos, 20 outstanding SMEs will be selected to represent Nigeria at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) scheduled for September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria.
The announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, during the programme's opening ceremony in Alausa, Ikeja. The initiative is organised in partnership with Afreximbank and ImpactHER.
Ambrose described the opportunity as a gateway for Lagos-based businesses to access over 1.3 billion consumers across Africa, engage buyers and investors, and position themselves as Lagos Export Ambassadors.
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"This is a bold step toward transforming Lagos-based businesses into globally competitive exporters, building wealth, creating jobs, and amplifying economic prosperity," she said.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of export readiness as an economic imperative, especially in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She said the programme would prepare MSMEs to transition from local players to continental contenders.
She noted that while MSMEs make up over 90% of businesses in Lagos and drive innovation and employment, many face barriers to international trade. These include poor packaging, regulatory bottlenecks, limited access to finance, and weak market links.
The week-long training is designed to address these gaps through high-impact sessions covering:
- Export documentation and regulatory compliance
- Packaging and labeling for international markets
- Trade finance and export credit
- Logistics, customs, and border procedures
- AfCFTA market entry strategies
- Digital trade and e-commerce
- Gender-responsive exporting for women-led MSMEs
Ambrose encouraged participants to treat the programme as more than just training, but a launchpad to global markets.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ody Akhanoba, Director of SME Development at Afreximbank, joined virtually from Egypt. He said the training is part of a broader initiative, with $18.7 billion earmarked in 2024 for SME capacity building across 27 African countries, including support for women and youth.
He added that for 2025, the bank will reach over 3,000 SMEs across 38 African and 7 Caribbean nations, highlighting the Lagos programme as a critical stepping stone to international trade exposure.
The IATF 2025 in Algeria is expected to offer selected SMEs visibility, new partnerships, and access to regional and global markets.
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