Zenith Bank’s 10th International Trade Seminar sets out strategies to scale Nigeria’s non-oil exports
The virtual event brought together policymakers, regulators, exporters, manufacturers, investors and development partners from across Africa and beyond, all focused on one question: how Nigeria can earn more from what it sells to the world The post Zenith Bank’s 10th International Trade Seminar sets out strategies to scale Nigeria’s non-oil exports appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria .
Zenith Bank Plc hosted its 10th International Trade Seminar on Non-Oil Export on Tuesday, marking a decade of advocacy for Nigeria's economic diversification. The virtual event gathered policymakers, regulators, exporters, manufacturers, investors, and development partners from across Africa and beyond, focused on maximizing revenue from exports.
The seminar's theme "Unlocking Value and Harnessing Growth" explored moving beyond raw materials to building value chains, strengthening trade infrastructure and financing, and enhancing the sector's role in sustainable growth.
Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, Zenith Bank's Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, praised the Bank's Founder, Dr. Jim Ovia, for establishing the seminar in 2015. She urged participants to transform Nigeria's improving export figures into lasting economic value. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council reported non-oil exports reached $6.1 billion in 2025, an 11.5% increase from $5.46 billion in 2024, and a 10-fold jump from $612 million a decade ago.
Zenith Bank partnered with the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat to develop the SMARTAfCFTA portal, and integrated with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System for smoother cross-border transactions. The Bank's support extends to wherever its exporters need to reach. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Central Bank of Nigeria, under Governor Olayemi Cardoso, have introduced reforms to create a more business-friendly environment and improve foreign exchange stability.
Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, called for deeper trade and investment reforms, better export conditions, and wider market access within Africa and globally. She emphasized that the focus should be on retaining more value locally from exports rather than just exporting raw materials. The Federal Government's role as an AfCFTA digital trade co-champion enables Nigerian firms to reach more markets and deepen regional value chains.
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