World Trade Centre unveils initiatives to boost Nigeria's global trade competitiveness

The World Trade Center, (WTC) Abuja has launched two groundbreaking initiatives to empower Nigerian exporters, particularly Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), to compete effectively in the global market.

The initiatives were unveiled during a webinar, tagged “Nigeria’s Trade Competitiveness: Navigating Global Uncertainties and Breaking Barriers to Growth”, held on Tuesday.

Ahmed Adelaja, Vice President of WTC, explained that the Export Launchpad is a flagship business accelerator designed to equip Nigerian exporters with the necessary tools to succeed internationally. The programme will offer export-ready diagnostics, market intelligence, packaging and compliance advisory, and access to logistics partners, trade finance, and verified international buyers.

“The Export Launchpad and Trade Desk are game-changers for Nigerian businesses,” Adelaja said. “Our vision is to ensure that no viable export idea fails due to lack of knowledge, access, or support”, he noted.

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The WTC Abuja Trade Desk will serve as a dedicated support hub for exporters, providing market entry and regulatory support, documentation guidelines, and business matchmaking through the global WTC network.

Other speakers at the webinar emphasized the importance of trade competitiveness and innovation. Professor Jonathan Aremu highlighted the need for a multi-faceted approach to enhance Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, including strategic partnerships, digital transformation, and diversification.

Kelvin Oye, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), stressed the crucial role of the private sector in driving export competitiveness through innovation, infrastructure development, and global marketing.

Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), noted that trade drives innovation and creates growth opportunities. She highlighted the NEPC’s efforts to empower SMEs, including providing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification to 105 beneficiaries.

The webinar showcased the World Trade Centre Abuja’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness and supporting the country’s economic growth.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.