- Lagos, Afreximbank Empower SMEs to Access Global Markets
- 20 outstanding participants will be selected to represent Lagos State at the IATF
- Ambrose emphasized that special focus will be placed on supporting women-led businesses
In a bid to strengthen and expand international market access for local businesses, the Lagos State Government has partnered with Afreximbank and ImpactHER to train 253 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on how to become export-ready.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the six-week training program, launched in Alausa, Ikeja, is designed to provide Lagos-based SMEs with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to tap into cross-border trade opportunities, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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At the conclusion of the program, 20 outstanding participants will be selected to represent Lagos State at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), which is scheduled to take place in Algiers, Algeria, in September 2025.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, described the initiative as a strategic move aimed at transforming micro, small, and medium enterprises into globally competitive exporters while driving inclusive economic growth in the state.
“This programme is more than a training, it is a gateway to a continental market of over 1.3 billion consumers. It’s a bold step towards building wealth, creating jobs, and enhancing the prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria at large.” Ambrose said.
The Commissioner highlighted that, as the host of the largest informal market in sub-Saharan Africa, Lagos is strategically positioned to spearhead Nigeria’s integration into the global export economy.
Shae added that: “In this age of regional integration, our enterprises must not remain local champions; they must evolve into continental contenders.”
She further noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, which aims to build a modern, 21st-century economy in Lagos.
The training will tackle major challenges faced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), such as packaging requirements, export documentation, regulatory compliance, access to financing, logistics, and opportunities in digital trade.
Ambrose also emphasized that special focus will be placed on supporting women-led businesses through gender-responsive export strategies.
In a virtual message, Mr. Ody Akhanoba, Director of SME Development at Afreximbank, disclosed that the bank has allocated $18.7 billion in 2024 for SME capacity-building programs across 27 African countries.
He added that more than 3,000 SMEs from 38 African nations and seven Caribbean countries are being targeted for support in 2025.
“The Lagos training is a critical step in preparing African businesses to scale across borders. Those who distinguish themselves will be supported through the trade fair and beyond,” Akhanoba said.
The 20 finalists from the programme will serve as “Lagos Export Ambassadors,” representing the state’s best in trade, innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence on the continental stage.
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