Wema Bank has concluded the first cohort of its Wema Export Trade Academy.
The programme equips Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with skills, insight, and resources for entering and thriving in the global market.
The academy, which hosted over 40 participants in Lagos, highlights Wema Bank’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s economic landscape by opening global opportunities for local businesses.
Wema Export Trade Academy provides hands-on support for SMEs tackling challenges in international trade.
Led by top industry facilitators like Dr. Bamidele Ayemibo, the “Export Doctor;” anauthority in international trade education, and Dr. Nduka Udeh, founder of Shoptomydoor.com and a pioneer in cost-effective global logistics and procurement services, the five-day sessions delved into export documentation, compliance, financial planning, and risk management.
Participants had a comprehensive understanding of the export process, including financial needs of exporters, global buyer expectations, and identifying potential international buyers.
The SMEs now have the tools to approach global markets with greater knowledge, confidence, and strategy.
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Reflecting on the academy’s impact, Dr. Ayemibo emphasised importance of sustainable practice and real-world insight: “What Wema Bank is trying to do is support SME businesses in the export space and those trying to come in. The goal is to help those doing exports to do it in a better and more sustainable way. The essence of the conversations we had in the past few days is for them to learn and implement; some of them who are here are exporting, and with the training, they realised they do some things wrongly and can do things better,” he said.
Tajudeen Bakare, head of Operations, General Services, and BPR at Wema Bank, said: “We have over 40 participants from Nigeria in attendance, training and equipping them on how to access financing for their export businesses.
“The SME businesses have established relationships with us; we are going to handhold them and grow their businesses. We are not just training and leaving them to struggle, we will equip them with resources; financial and skills, they require. It is going to be a partnership beginning with them.”
A participant, Dele Badejo, a longtime importer, said the academy has been a transformative experience for him.
“I have been in import for a few years, and I’m just going to start exporting. The scarcity of dollars has made me want to embrace export and for me, Wema Bank is doing a very laudable thing, because I see a lot of opportunities in export, looking ahead of crude oil in Nigeria there are better opportunities and even bigger opportunities that can create a lot of value chain for the country and the people also, I want to appreciate Wema Bank for thinking out of the box to bring out this initiative because I would be able to fund my export business.
“This initiative is also very important for Nigeria as it will bring a lot of opportunities for many people because now I will be able to employ more people and for me, it’s an eye opener and I want to thank the management of Wema Bank for opening our eyes to these opportunities.”