By News Desk
LAGOS, Nigeria — Financial institution Zenith Bank Plc will host the 10th edition of its International Trade Seminar on Non-Oil Export on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
The virtual forum will convene policymakers, regulators, exporters, manufacturers, and investors to deliberate on concrete strategies to accelerate growth across Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.
Expanding Beyond Raw Commodity Exports
Organized under the theme “Unlocking Value and Harnessing Growth in Non-Oil Export,” the seminar will examine frameworks to transition Nigeria from exporting raw commodities toward developing globally competitive value-added chains.
Key agenda items include expanding international market access, bolstering trade infrastructure, improving export financing mechanisms, and raising the overall contribution of non-oil exports to national economic growth.
Prominent guest speakers scheduled to address the event include:
- H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
- Mrs. Patricia Poku-Diaby, Chief Executive Officer of Plot Enterprise Ghana Limited.
- Professor Benedict Oramah, immediate past President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Public and Private Sector Perspectives
The seminar will feature two panel discussions designed to examine operational and policy barriers within the trade ecosystem.
The public sector panel will feature key regulatory and trade development leadership, including:
- Mr. Abba Bello, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank).
- Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
- Ms. Aderinola Shonekan, Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria.
- Mrs. Aisha Rimi, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
- Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
The private sector session will bring together commercial operators and trade consultants, including:
- Alhaji Adeniji Adeyemi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Starlink Global & Ideal Limited.
- Alhaji Sada Ladan-Baki, Group Executive Director at Dangote Group.
- Mr. Bamidele Ayemibo, Senior Consultant at 3T Impex Trade Centre.
- Alhaji Oladipo Salako, Managing Director of Terra Aqua Environmental Consultancy Nigeria Limited.
- Mr. Ramzi Taher, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of RMM Global.
- Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lelook Nigeria Limited.
The joint sessions will address trade facilitation, port efficiency, customs processing, regulatory compliance, and market integration under regional frameworks.
