The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, has called for urgent and coordinated efforts to eliminate structural barriers limiting trade across Africa.
Speaking at a high-level conference attended by policymakers, financiers, and business leaders, Ogbonna stressed that despite Africa’s vast economic potential, the continent continues to play a limited role in global trade due to fragmented systems and inefficiencies.
“The reality is that Africa still controls a small share of global trade. The corridors are still fragmented and more aspirational than functional, and too many small businesses that aspire to trade across Africa remain constrained,” he said.
The conference, themed ‘Turning Vision into Velocity: Building Africa’s Trade Ecosystem for Real-World Impact’, builds on discussions from its inaugural 2025 edition. According to Ogbonna, the focus has shifted from identifying challenges to implementing practical solutions that can drive measurable impact.
He pointed to growing momentum in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services, as well as the increasing role of digital platforms in streamlining payments and logistics across borders. However, he cautioned that progress remains uneven and requires stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
“We have seen value chains emerging across agriculture, manufacturing and services, and we are seeing African brands crossing borders and building a global presence,” Ogbonna added.
Also speaking at the event, Kennedy Mbekeani, Director-General for Southern Africa at the African Development Bank, highlighted the importance of infrastructure development in advancing the continent’s trade ambitions.
Mbekeani emphasised the need to mobilise private sector investment to address the significant funding gaps facing infrastructure projects, noting that many African governments are constrained by limited fiscal capacity.
“The mobilisation of private capital remains crucial as many African governments are constrained by limited fiscal space and overstretched balance sheets,” he said.
He further stressed that while regulatory alignment is necessary, it must be complemented by robust physical and digital infrastructure to ensure that regional integration delivers tangible benefits across the continent.
Participants at the conference agreed that transforming Africa into a connected and integrated trade bloc could significantly boost intra-African trade and enhance its competitiveness on the global stage.
