Access Bank has taken a bold step in shaping Africa’s trade future, using the platform of the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé to push a strategic agenda focused on trade finance, formalisation, and cross border integration across the continent.
At a high level forum organised alongside the summit, Access Bank Cameroon brought together policymakers, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and development partners to confront one of Africa’s biggest economic contradictions: a continent rich in trade potential but constrained by informality, financing gaps, and fragmented systems.
The bank’s message was clear. Africa’s growth story cannot accelerate unless informal trade, which dominates a large share of economic activity across the continent, is brought into the formal financial system. Without this transition, millions of small traders remain locked out of credit, insurance, and structured market access, limiting their ability to scale and contribute meaningfully to economic transformation.
This focus aligns with broader findings from global institutions that highlight a persistent shortage of trade finance across African economies. In many developing markets, access to credit for import and export activities remains significantly constrained, preventing businesses from expanding beyond local markets and fully participating in global trade flows.
Access Bank’s strategy, as outlined at the WTO gathering, revolves around removing the structural barriers that keep trade informal and inefficient. These include simplifying trade regimes for small businesses, reducing non tariff barriers and unofficial payments at borders, and improving logistics systems that currently make intra African trade slow and expensive.
The emphasis on cross border efficiency is not accidental. Despite the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area, trade within Africa still accounts for a relatively small share of total trade, hovering around just 16 percent. This low level of internal trade is widely seen as one of the biggest missed opportunities for the continent, especially at a time when global supply chains are being reshaped and regional trade blocs are gaining importance.
Access Bank is positioning itself as more than just a lender in this transformation. The institution is actively building platforms, partnerships, and financial instruments that connect markets, facilitate payments, and enable businesses to move goods and services across borders more efficiently. Its ongoing initiatives, including the Africa Trade Conference, reflect a broader strategy to drive practical solutions rather than just policy discussions.
At the WTO forum, one of the central themes was the need to integrate informal traders into formal value chains. This is critical because formalisation does not just improve regulation; it unlocks financing. Once transactions are documented and traceable, financial institutions can assess risk more accurately, extend credit, and support business expansion.
The bank also highlighted the importance of leveraging digital tools to modernise trade systems. Digitisation can reduce delays, improve transparency, and lower transaction costs, making it easier for businesses to operate across borders. This is particularly relevant in Africa, where inefficient customs processes and poor infrastructure often add significant costs to trade.
Another key pillar of the discussion was the role of the private sector in driving Africa’s economic integration. While governments can create frameworks like AfCFTA, it is ultimately businesses and financial institutions that operationalise trade. Access Bank’s approach reflects this reality, focusing on aligning public policy with private sector capacity and capital.8
The forum also underscored the need for stronger trade corridors across the continent. Efficient corridors, supported by reliable infrastructure and coordinated policies, can significantly reduce the time and cost of moving goods between countries. This is essential for building competitive regional value chains and reducing reliance on external markets.
Beyond immediate trade facilitation, the initiative speaks to a larger economic vision. By formalising trade and improving access to finance, African economies can increase tax revenues, strengthen financial systems, and create more stable business environments. This, in turn, can attract further investment and accelerate industrialisation.
Access Bank’s presence at the WTO summit highlights a growing trend where African financial institutions are taking a more proactive role in shaping continental trade policy and infrastructure. Rather than waiting for external solutions, these institutions are stepping in to design systems that reflect the realities of African markets.
The real test will be execution. While the strategy is clear, translating it into measurable impact will require sustained collaboration between governments, banks, and businesses. If successful, however, the approach could significantly reshape Africa’s trade landscape, turning informal activity into structured economic growth and unlocking new opportunities across the continent.
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