AfCFTA Roadmap: 234Finance, Africa Trade Academy chart a course for cross-border growth

234Finance convened entrepreneurs, SME founders, and professionals for a Vision Boarding and Business Growth session themed “Ascension By Design” on January 30, 2026.

The programme brought together African professionals for a focused conversation on personal clarity, business expansion, taxation, and cross-border trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The event opened with a welcome address by Ezinne Nwazulu, Managing Partner of 234Finance, who outlined the organisation’s focus on equipping African businesses with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to scale sustainably across borders.

One of the highlights of the programme was a hands-on vision boarding session facilitated by Foluso Gbadamosi, which participants described as both practical and deeply reflective.

Unlike traditional goal-setting workshops, the session adopted a holistic life-and-business approach, enabling attendees to create long-term vision boards that aligned personal purpose with professional growth beyond 2026.

Speaking on the importance of vision-setting for entrepreneurs, Tolu Olawumi, Programs and Partnership Lead at 234Finance, noted that the session was designed to help founders move beyond short-term planning and build clarity around the kind of businesses and lives they want to create.

She added that vision boarding remains a powerful tool for aligning intention with execution, particularly for entrepreneurs navigating uncertain economic environments.

Participants also benefited from an in-depth session on Pan-African trade opportunities under AfCFTA, facilitated by Dode Seidu, Chief Executive of Africa Trade Academy and a board member of the AfCFTA ecosystem.

His session focused on unlocking Africa’s vast market potential and provided step-by-step guidance on how African founders and professionals can successfully trade across borders. Attendees were taken through practical frameworks for exporting, market entry, compliance, and leveraging AfCFTA instruments to grow their businesses continent-wide.

Tax compliance and financial clarity formed another key part of the programme. A session on taxation was facilitated by Abiodun Kayode-Alli and Francis Uzoewulu, tax experts at PwC Nigeria, who provided practical guidance for both individuals and business owners.

The session broke down the Nigerian tax system, explaining income thresholds, tax obligations, and what business owners should expect based on earnings and company performance.

The session was particularly timely, given the recent changes in Nigerian tax laws and the growing need among entrepreneurs for clarity on compliance requirements. Participants described it as especially useful for those aiming to build investment-ready businesses while navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.

The programme aligns with 234Finance’s broader goal of strengthening SMEs, promoting financial literacy, and accelerating Africa-to-Africa trade through education, advisory, and ecosystem partnerships.

With initiatives like this, 234Finance continues to position itself as a key enabler of African enterprise growth, bridging vision, policy, and practical execution for founders navigating today’s economic realities.