Wema Bank Plc has reinforced its commitment to empowering Nigerian businesses for global competitiveness following the successful completion of the second edition of its Export Trade Academy in Lagos. The two-day intensive program equipped over 500 business owners, exporters, commodity aggregators, trade associations, and regulatory professionals with the critical knowledge, skills, and strategic resources required to participate effectively in international trade.
Designed to help local enterprises navigate the practical realities of the global marketplace, the session focused on identifying viable export opportunities, meeting international buyer expectations, managing documentation, and mastering compliance, financing, logistics, and risk management.
Over the course of the workshop, participants received direct guidance from seasoned international trade experts alongside key regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
Addressing the significance of the initiative, the Deputy Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc, Oluwole Ajimisinmi, noted that while Nigeria possesses immense entrepreneurial potential, local businesses often require the right combination of structural access, financing, and market intelligence to thrive beyond domestic borders.
“At Wema Bank, we recognise that the potential of Nigerian businesses in global trade can only be fully realised when they have access to the right knowledge, the right connections, and the right financial support,” Ajimisinmi stated.
“WETA brings these critical elements together, and our ambition is to create a platform that helps businesses understand the export ecosystem, connect with the right stakeholders, and build the capacity required to participate sustainably in international trade.”
Echoing the necessity of regulatory alignment, a Deputy Director at NAFDAC, Oluseyi Sanyaolu, highlighted that understanding official processes and quality standards remains mandatory for taking local products abroad. She commended the academy for bridging information gaps and providing actionable guidance that enables small and medium-scale enterprises to compete confidently on the global stage.
Participating business owners similarly noted that the academy provided a fresh framework for assessing their operations against international standards, with attendee Dele Badejo describing the event as a pivotal stepping stone for local importers looking to diversify into non-oil exports.
Reaffirming the institution’s long-term strategy, the Divisional Executive at Wema Bank, Tajudeen Bakare, emphasized that the bank’s relationship with the cohort extends far beyond classroom instruction. He explained that Wema Bank intends to partner continuously with the participating enterprises by offering tailored financial and non-financial support at every phase of their growth trajectory.
“Our intention is not to end engagement with the participating businesses at the completion of the Academy. We are not training and leaving them to navigate the journey alone. The goal is to continue to work with them, understand what they require at different stages, and provide the relevant financial and non-financial support that can help them grow. For us, this is the beginning of a partnership,” Bakare said.
The initiative reflects Wema Bank’s broader corporate approach toward SME development, which moves beyond standard banking services to actively construct sustainable capacity within Nigeria’s commercial ecosystem. By expanding the reach of the Wema Export Trade Academy, the financial institution continues to consolidate its role as a key catalyst for local business expansion, strengthening domestic operations while building the international trade capabilities needed to elevate Nigerian brands worldwide.
