The Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), H.E. Wamkele Mene; Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), Prof. Benedict Oramah, GCON; Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (UK) and immediate past trade envoy to Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Florence Eshalomi MP; the Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho and  the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi are among eminent guests slated to speak at the 10th Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar on Non-Oil Export holding on Tuesday, 25 August.

It is bringing together leading policymakers, regulators, exporters, manufacturers, investors and other key stakeholders to explore practical strategies for unlocking value and accelerating growth in Nigeria’s non-oil export sector. It is themed, “Unlocking Value and Harnessing Growth in Non-Oil Export”.

The virtual seminar which has Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank PLC as the host, will examine how Nigeria can move beyond exporting raw commodities to build globally competitive value chains, expand market access, strengthen trade infrastructure and financing, and deepen the contribution of non-oil exports to sustainable economic growth and development.

According to a statement by the Bank, the high-profile event, which starts at 9:00am, will feature leading voices from the public and private sectors in two panel discussions.

The first panel, dedicated to public sector perspectives, will attract key stakeholders driving Nigeria’s trade, export, investment and economic development agenda while second panel, focused on private sector perspectives.

They include, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Mr. Abba Bello; the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ms. Aderinola Shonekan; and the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Nonye Ayeni as well as Founder and Executive Chair, Plot Enterprise, Ghana Ltd, Mrs. Patricia Poku-Diaby.

Others are the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Starlink Global & Ideal Ltd, Alhaji Adeniji Adeyemi; the Group Executive Director, International Trade and Export, Dangote Group, Alhaji Sada Ladan-Baki; Senior Consultant at 3T Impex Trade Centre, Mr. Bamidele Ayemibo; the Managing Director of Terra Aqua Environmental Consultancy Nigeria Ltd, Alhaji Mobolaji Salako; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of RMM Global Co. Ltd, Mr. Ramzi Taher; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lelook Nigeria Ltd, Chief (Mrs.) Chinwe Ezenwa and Founder/CEO Psaltry  International Company Ltd, Mrs. Oluyemisi Iranloye

The discussions will offer practical perspectives on trade facilitation, export financing, customs and port efficiency, regulation, market access, and the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses in regional and global markets.

Another key focus of the seminar will be the African Continental Free Trade Area and its potential to open up a larger market for Nigerian goods and services while deepening intra-African trade. With the AfCFTA offering businesses access to a market of more than one billion people on the continent, the discussions will examine how Nigerian enterprises can leverage regional integration, build competitive value chains and seize emerging opportunities across the continent.

It would be recalled that Zenith Bank has consistently championed conversations around trade and economic development and at the forefront of efforts to support businesses seeking to participate more effectively in regional and international commerce. For instance the Bank has partnered with the AfCFTA Secretariat on initiatives to facilitate cross-border trade and expand access to opportunities across Africa.

Now in its 10th edition, the Zenith Bank International Trade Seminar has evolved into a leading platform for high-level dialogue on Nigeria’s trade and export ecosystem.

Over the years, the seminar has brought together government, regulators, businesses, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to examine emerging trends, identify challenges, and proffer practical solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s position in global commerce.

So, the 2026 edition will build on this legacy, convening some of the most influential voices shaping Nigeria’s trade, investment and economic landscape around one critical question: how can Nigeria unlock greater value from its non-oil exports and translate its vast productive potential into sustainable economic growth?

The seminar will be held virtually and streamed live on Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok, enabling participants in Nigeria and around the world to join the conversation. Interested participants can register at www.zenithbank.com/exportsem

Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, GMD/CEO,  Zenith Bank PLC