Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its strategic commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil export ecosystem and empowering micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) at the NAHCO and NACCIMA Export Group Programme themed “Breaking Barriers: Helping SMEs Navigate Export Procedures for Agro Products and Other Commodities.”
In a statement issued by the bank on Monday, Polaris Bank said the one-day engagement brought together regulators, industry stakeholders, exporters, and trade bodies to explore practical solutions for easing trade barriers, improving access to finance, and building a more resilient and diversified Nigerian economy.
The programme also marked the formal introduction and launch of the NACCIMA Export Group and the NAHCO Export Support Centre for MSMEs in Nigeria. The initiative is designed to provide exporters with a structured platform to access trade facilitation services, logistics support, regulatory guidance, and financial solutions across the export value chain.
Speaking at the event, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Chris Ofikulu, stressed the national importance of export diversification and the critical role of SMEs in building a resilient economy. He noted that reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenue requires coordinated public and private sector action to strengthen non-oil exports, particularly agro-exports and commodity trade.
“Expanding non-oil exports is not optional; it is a strategic imperative for building a resilient, inclusive, and competitive Nigerian economy. SMEs, particularly in agro-exports and commodity trade, hold the key to unlocking our true comparative advantage. Polaris Bank remains committed to providing the finance, advisory support, and partnerships required to help them scale confidently and compete globally,” Ofikulu said.
Discussions at the programme also focused on structural challenges facing exporters, including infrastructure gaps, port inefficiencies, logistics constraints, standards and certification requirements, and policy consistency. Participants emphasised the need for stronger public-private collaboration among government agencies, trade bodies, financial institutions, and logistics partners to simplify export procedures and improve market access for Nigerian SMEs.
Also addressing stakeholders, Olaleye Arinola, Team Lead, Trade Services at Polaris Bank, highlighted the importance of removing trade and payment bottlenecks that limit exporter competitiveness and cash flow. He said the bank is focused on building confidence and certainty into the export process through practical financial and advisory support.
“Exports cannot grow if finance and payments remain obstacles. At Polaris Bank, our focus is on removing friction from international trade by ensuring SMEs get paid faster, safer, and with greater certainty through efficient trade finance, secure cross-border payments, and hands-on guidance across documentation, FX, and compliance,” Arinola said.
As part of its partnership with the business and trade community, Polaris Bank unveiled a Dedicated Help Desk for NACCIMA members. The desk is designed to provide direct access to trade finance and payment support, fast-track the resolution of export-related enquiries, and offer personalised advisory services on FX documentation and regulatory compliance.
Polaris Bank reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with NAHCO, NACCIMA, and other stakeholders to strengthen exporter capacity, promote value addition across agro-exports and commodities, and unlock sustainable growth opportunities for Nigerian businesses in regional and global markets.
As Nigeria continues to pursue economic diversification, the bank said it remains positioned as a trusted partner for SME exporters, providing the finance, knowledge, and institutional support required to compete globally and contribute to long-term national development.
