At pioneer Trade Expo: Ecobank schools businesspersons on trade financing.

Officials said the training was to strengthen the capacity of participants on trade finance and its impact on economic growth. 

The training took place under the theme: “Unlocking Trade Power: Financing Solutions for Growth”. It featured dialogue, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange on navigating the complexities of modern trade and entrepreneurship.

According to the Managing Director, MD, of Ecobank Cameroon and CEMAC Cluster Head of Ecobank, Gwendoline Abunaw, the expo sought to promote economic empowerment, encourage job creation, and equip the next generation of entrepreneurs with the right tools to succeed locally and internationally. 

She emphasized that trade finance is not just a support mechanism but a cornerstone of sustainable growth. According to her, Ecobank’s Pan-African footprint gives it a privileged position to understand and respond to the realities of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs, across the continent.

“Ecobank is a Pan-African bank that has lived the SME experience in Africa,” Abunaw explained, stating that: “We know the challenges businesses face in accessing finance and scaling operations. That is why we organized this forum, to share solutions that are available to help companies overcome barriers in trade”.

She explained that with platforms like “our Single Market Trade Hub, we are providing open access to over 33 African markets, enabling businesses to sell, advertise, and connect at no cost”. 

The goal Abunaw stated “…is to support entrepreneurs, strengthen cross-border transactions, and help African businesses thrive”.

Kate Kanyi-Tometi Fotso, Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Telcar Cocoa Ltd, one of Cameroon’s leading exporters and a respected figure in international trade delivered a special lecture at the gathering.

Drawing from her over 25 years of experience, Fotso spoke passionately about resilience, trust, and accountability in trade finance, especially from the perspective of women entrepreneurs.

“Believing in what you do and doing it with transparency and accountability is key,” Fotso noted, adding that: “Trust is essential—not just for banks to support you but also for your clients to rely on your commitments. With the right structures in place, SMEs and large companies alike can scale, invest, and even industrialize. Ecobank has been a reliable partner on this journey, helping businesses like mine weather challenges while continuing to grow”.

Other speakers also noted that the Trade Expo also highlighted specific solutions Ecobank offers to tackle key business challenges. They talked about cash flow constraints as a common problem for importers and exporters.

Resource persons said the issues can be addressed through letters of credit, pre-export financing, and partnerships with Export Credit Agencies. Payment risks, they said, are mitigated.

During panel discussions participants shared experience on the use of international guarantees, bonds, and collaborations with over 1,200 correspondent banks worldwide. 

For companies facing long working capital cycles, Ecobank officials said the financial institution provides receivables financing, structured trade and commodity finance, as well as regional collection solutions that simplify cross-border transactions.

Attendees were presented Ecobank’s project dubbed, Single Market Trade Hub (SMTH), a digital marketplace connecting over 11,000 potential partners across Africa. 

The platform, it was said, not only facilitates financing and payments but also enhances visibility and provides real-time access to trade opportunities. They said it is an innovation that aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3586 of Monday October 06, 2025