Access Bank Plc has called for stronger collaboration among governments, financial institutions, and the private sector to unlock Africa’s trade potential and significantly boost commerce within the continent. The call was made by the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Roosevelt Ogbonna, during the 2026 edition of the Africa Trade Conference organised by Access Bank.
Ogbonna stressed that despite Africa’s vast market size and growing population, intra-African trade remains constrained by long-standing structural and policy challenges. He noted that fragmented trade corridors, inconsistent regulations, and limited coordination among stakeholders continue to weaken the continent’s ability to trade efficiently within its own borders and compete more effectively in global markets.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that the Access Bank Africa Trade Conference was convened as a continuation of discussions initiated in 2025, with a focus on converting dialogue into measurable progress. Ogbonna explained that Africa’s low share of global trade reflects systemic inefficiencies that require collective solutions rather than isolated national efforts, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to expand across borders.
Reflecting on outcomes from the previous conference, the Access Bank chief executive said three priorities remain central to reshaping Africa’s trade landscape. These include closer alignment between policymakers, financiers, and businesses, the development of trade systems powered by reliable data and analytics, and the creation of support structures that serve both large corporations and smaller enterprises operating across borders.
He added that while some progress has been recorded, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, the gains remain uneven. According to him, a handful of markets and corridors have benefited from reforms and investments, while many parts of the continent are still held back by infrastructure gaps and weak integration.
Technology was also identified as a key enabler of trade growth. Ogbonna said digital platforms are increasingly reducing friction in payments, logistics, and market access, but warned that broader adoption and cross-border interoperability are needed to ensure these tools deliver continent-wide impact.
On infrastructure financing, African Development Bank officials at the conference emphasised the urgency of mobilising private capital to support large-scale trade-enabling projects. The bank noted that many African governments face fiscal constraints, making private sector participation critical to closing infrastructure deficits that limit trade flows.
Policy alignment emerged as a recurring theme during panel discussions. Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, said inconsistent policies across African countries continue to undermine trade integration, urging governments to design coherent frameworks that leverage comparative advantages rather than encourage unhealthy competition.
Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, echoed this position, noting that Africa’s challenge lies less in policy creation and more in harmonised implementation. She argued that mutual recognition of standards and certification processes would significantly reduce delays and costs associated with cross-border trade.
Botswana’s Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, said governments must prioritise creating enabling environments that attract investment and support businesses, adding that regional trade corridors are essential to connecting markets and unlocking new growth opportunities.
Closing the conference, Access Bank’s Executive Director for African Subsidiaries, Seyi Kumapayi, urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and commit to concrete actions. He said the conference should serve as a catalyst for sustained collaboration that delivers real improvements in intra-African trade and economic integration.
