Standard Chartered Co-Sponsors the 2026 Global Trade Review (GTR) Conference

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited participated as Gold sponsor at the recently concluded GTR West Africa Lagos 2026, themed “Financing growth in West Africa’s trade epicentre”.

The event which took place at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos brought together over 600 industry stakeholders, providing a platform to explore Africa’s evolving trade and investment landscape through insightful panel discussions and networking opportunities. This included Corporates, Financial Institutions, Financial Market specialists, Non-Bank Financiers, Technology and FinTechs, Financial Consultants, Insurance firms and Risk Managers. This year’s agenda focused on critical themes shaping the region’s trade ecosystem, including the impact of global geopolitical tensions particularly developments in the Gulf on trade flows and supply chains, strategies for transforming economic stability into sustainable trade growth, export diversification, and the role of structured and supply chain finance in unlocking value across West Africa’s commodity sectors. Discussions also covered infrastructure financing, digital trade enablement, and financial inclusion across the continent.

Standard Chartered was strongly represented by its Transaction Banking teams. Key contributions included a panel session led by Hamed Kourouma, Head of Transaction Banking, Côte d’Ivoire, on “Export Diversification: Deploying Specialised Finance as a Strategic Imperative,” and another session by Simon Umegbu, Trade Products Manager, on “Scaling Supply Chain Finance: Boosting Domestic Value Chains and Expanding Across Borders.”

During his presentation, Hamed Kourouma noted that: “Africa’s trade story is no longer about potential, it is about execution. As exporters expand beyond traditional markets, success will depend on how effectively they structure financing, manage risk, and build the right partnerships. The opportunity is significant, but capturing it requires disciplined strategy and practical alignment. Those who move early and structure intelligently will be best positioned to lead in Africa’s next phase of trade growth.”

Speaking on the supply chain finance panel, Simon Umegbu stated:
“Scaling supply chain finance isn’t just a funding conversation; it’s a strategic imperative for strengthening domestic value chains. By ensuring suppliers have access to predictable liquidity, they can build capacity and deliver reliably. As a result, national industries deepen, become more resilient, and position for cross-border competitiveness. When capital flows efficiently across borders, businesses grow faster, trade deepens, and economies become more productive.”

Commenting on the event, Ibiyemi Okuneye, Head of Trade and Transaction Banking, Nigeria & West Africa at Standard Chartered Bank, said:
“In today’s environment of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade pattern, platforms like GTR West Africa are essential for bringing industry stakeholders together to share practical insights and solutions. For business across the region, the focus remains on enhancing liquidity, strengthening risk frameworks and leveraging innovative financing structures to navigate disruptions and sustain trade flows.”

She further added:
“GTR West Africa continues to serve as a critical platform for advancing dialogue on the future of trade across the region. As global and regional landscapes continue to evolve, the focus must shift towards building resilient supply chains, scaling structured trade solutions and accelerating digital adoption to unlock inclusive growth. By strengthening regional value chains, embracing innovation, and unlocking the benefits of AfCFTA, we will expand the growth of trade more sustainably and support Africa’s long-term economic transformation.”

The event reinforced Standard Chartered’s leadership in trade and transaction banking, highlighting its continued commitment to delivering innovative financing solutions that support trade facilitation, economic diversification, and sustainable growth across Africa.