GTR Africa - Trade and export finance conference

As we wrap up an incredible two days at #GTRAfrica, we are proud to celebrate a record-breaking attendance of over 700 delegates, bringing together the brightest minds in #trade, #supplychain, #infrastructure, #workingcapital, #export and #commodity #financing markets. This year’s conference has provided essential insights and showcased the most pressing challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping Africa’s trade and financial landscape. A huge thank you to all our speakers, panellists, and attendees for their contributions, engagement, and expertise. A special thank you to this years sponsor and partners’ – we couldn’t have done it without you! We look forward to welcoming you back to the next edition of GTR Africa in March 2026 - more details to be announced in weeks to come! Stay tuned for our post-event wrap up email, the event photos and the conference highlights video, which will be available soon! Visit www.gtreview.com/events for more detail on GTR events worldwide: - April 24-25: GTR West Africa 2025 Lagos - April 29: GTR Future-Proofing Trade Finance 2025 London - May 13: GTR KSA 2025 Riyadh - May14-15: GTR India 2025 Mumbai - May 21-22: GTR East Africa 2025 Nairobi - June 12: GTR UK 2025 London - September 2-3: GTR Asia 2025 Singapore - September 23: GTR Commodities 2025 Geneva - October 15: GTR Egypt 2025 Cairo - October 20: GTR Türkiye 2025 Istanbul - November 20: GTR Africa 2025 London - November 26: GTR Nordics 2025 Stockholm - December 3: GTR US 2025 New York Don't miss your chance to read our latest GTR Issue. Visit https://lnkd.in/eNW8vFxy for 4 free articles a month or contact subscriptions@gtreview.com to start a 4 week digital trial and see why thousands choose GTR. #GTRAfrica #TradeFinance #RiskManagement #InfrastructureInvestment #DigitalTrade #SanctionsCompliance #GlobalTrade

From the growing buzz around #AI to the steady progress of #industrycompliance and #alternativetrade settlement #initiatives, digital transformation is reshaping Africa’s #tradefinance landscape. The emergence of digital currency transactions and #fintech-driven solutions presents new opportunities to reach underserved markets, but also raises critical questions around regulation, adoption, and impact. This forward-thinking discussion explored key developments and trends shaping the future of digital trade and finance in Africa, including: 🔹 Africa Trade Gateway – assessing industry progress on compliance, payments, local currency settlement, and the need for increased commercial bank participation. 📜 eBills and regulatory developments – how global changes could benefit African trade and whether immediate gains will stem from wider trade ecosystem digitalisation. 🤖 AI in trade finance – from document processing to compliance, what role could AI play in supporting lower-tier African banks and their SME clients? 💰 Stablecoins in trade finance – weighing the opportunities and risks and anticipating the shape of future regulations. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Tedd George (Kleos Advisory Africa) 🎙️ Warren Rogers (Tether.io 🎙️ Rashi Gupta (Onafriq 🎙️ Raju Singha (iColumbus.ai, Intellect Design Arena) 🎙️ Annerose Ngemu (African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) 🎙️ Hannes Wessels (Binance) As Africa’s trade finance sector evolves, the adoption of AI, digital currencies, and compliance-focused innovations will be crucial in enhancing financial inclusion, improving efficiency, and driving new growth opportunities across the continent. #GTRAfrica #DigitalTrade #TradeFinance #AI #Stablecoins #Fintech #GlobalTrade

The heightened pace of #sanctions deployment is anticipated to continue if not accelerate further, so what can trade lenders and companies do to keep up with this rapidly evolving sanctions landscape? During #GTRAfrica, technology and legal experts pinpointed the latest developments in the field, from the ongoing proliferation and real-time designation of sanctions and a resulting shift in trade corridors, to the deceptive practices being used by those seeking to evade them. Practical insight provided on the technology and expertise capable of improving detection, including use cases such as the better determination of ultimate beneficial ownership of counterparties in transactions and monitoring vessel movements. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Laurie Hammond (Dealflow) 🎙️ Eric Orsini (Lloyd's List Intelligence) 🎙️ Charles Ike (Pole Star Global) #GTRAfrica #SanctionsCompliance #TradeFinance #RiskManagement #BeneficialOwnership #VesselTracking #GlobalTrade

At #GTRAfrica, delegates received an exclusive update on the Vodacom Business | haifin, an e& enterprise company from the #UAE, strategically positioned to serve the sub-Saharan African market. The session featured a special announcement on the latest initiative designed to address the risks and challenges faced by banks and financial institutions in their daily operations. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Kevin Odudoh (Vodacom Business) 🎙️ Wissam Massud (haifin, an e& enterprise company) #GTRAfrica #FinancialInnovation #BankingSolutions #RiskManagement #DigitalFinance #GlobalTrade

Despite world-class due diligence and risk management practices, heightened volatility across the regional business environment continues to pose challenges. Factors such as currency fluctuations, FX shortages, commodity price volatility, and supply chain disruptions are driving an increase in insolvencies, defaults, and non-payment risks. This focused interview during GTR Africa provided a deep dive into claims hotspots across SADC and beyond, offering practical guidance on how businesses can minimise financial losses and strengthen their risk mitigation strategies. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Stéfan Wolmarans (Recovery Advisers) 🎙️ Rupert Cutler (Holtarka Limited) Key discussion points included: 🔎 Identifying high-risk areas for insolvency and default within the SADC region and beyond. 💰 Trade finance non-payment claims – key recovery success factors and practical steps to reclaim losses. ⚖️ Mitigating unpaid contracts – proactive measures to protect businesses from financial exposure. 📈 The route to recovery – navigating disputes and strengthening credit risk strategies in volatile markets. As uncertainty continues to shape global and regional trade, ensuring robust risk management and recovery strategies is critical for businesses operating across Africa. #GTRAfrica #TradeFinance #RiskManagement #CreditRisk #Insolvency #Recovery #GlobalTrade

With #sovereigndebt challenges, hard currency shortages, and upcoming elections in #Cameroon, #Egypt, #Tanzania, and Côte d'Ivoire, coupled with heightened global geopolitical tensions, the need to effectively assess and mitigate political and credit risks has become an increasing priority for corporates, banks, and development finance institutions. #GTRAfrica brought together leading political and credit risk experts to examine the latest risk trends affecting African #trade and #investment, as well as the evolving role of the private insurance market in providing support for African transactions. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Tom Cary (BPL Global) 🎙️ Isfandyar Zaman Khan (The World Bank) 🎙️ Sean Edwards (ITFA) 🎙️ Vuyolwethu Dubese (International Moderator & Host) As businesses, banks, and insurers adapt to a rapidly evolving risk environment, understanding political and credit risk trends remains essential for ensuring sustainable and secure trade finance solutions across the continent. #GTRAfrica #PoliticalRisk #CreditRisk #TradeFinance #RiskManagement #Investment #GlobalTrade 

Global demand for Africa’s #hardcommodities has driven much-needed investment in logistical corridors, supporting the growth of the extractive industry and strengthening regional economies. Enhanced transport and digital infrastructure present a significant opportunity to accelerate intra-Africa trade growth, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (#AfCFTA). This session highlighted key industrial #infrastructureinvestments set to transform regional connectivity and trade, including: 🚆 Guinea’s Simandou rail project – unlocking mineral exports and driving economic integration. 🛤️ The Lobito Corridor – linking DRC, Zambia, and Angola, facilitating cross-border trade and supply chain efficiency. 📈 The impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on trade volumes and economic diversification across Africa. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Inal Henry (Independent Advisor) 🎙️ John-Martin Ndawula (Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) 🎙️ Michael Sudarkasa (Africa Business Group) 🎙️ Zaynab Hoosen (PANGEA-RISK) 🎙️ Thea Fourie (S&P Global Market Intelligence) 🎙️ Normela Maunick (Bank One Limited) #GTRAfrica #TradeCorridors #InfrastructureFinance #AfCFTA #ExtractiveIndustries #TradeGrowth #GlobalTrade

Extending #tradefinancesolutions into the deepest tiers of Africa’s #agricultural #supplychains remains a persistent challenge – one that is becoming even more complex due to climate risks, evolving #sustainabilityregulations, and increased #ESG requirements. Experts during #GTRAfrica explored how #technologicalinnovation and greater collaboration between private and developmental financiers can help unlock the critical funding needed for Africa’s agricultural sector to access #globaltrade opportunities. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Zhann Meyer (Nedbank) 🎙️ Jan Lunsingh Scheurleer (Rabobank) 🎙️ Stephen Vlok (Specialised Agri Solutions) Key topics covered included: 🌱 Mitigating risks across African agricultural trade to enhance financing accessibility. 💰 Financing solutions tailored to the needs of agribusinesses and smallholder farmers. 🔗 The role of the private sector and development finance in strengthening Africa’s agritrade ecosystem. 📈 Technological innovation as a game-changer for sustainable and resilient agricultural financing. As Africa’s agricultural sector navigates these evolving challenges, strategic partnerships, financial innovation, and sustainability-focused solutions will be key to ensuring long-term growth and resilience. #GTRAfrica #AgriculturalFinance #TradeFinance #AgriTrade #ESG #Sustainability #GlobalTrade

Cases of #tradefinancefraud have made frequent headlines in the #commodity industry, with high-profile instances of double financing, trade-based money laundering, and fraudulent shipments resulting in major losses for industry lenders. Warehouse receipt financing, a crucial liquidity source for the commodity sector, continues to be a prime target for financial crime, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced risk mitigation strategies. This expert discussion at GTR Africa examined the financial crime and operational risks associated with warehouse receipt financing, offering insights into key red flags for lenders and the role of regulatory developments in fraud prevention. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their perspectives: 🎙️ Tedd George (Kleos Advisory Ltd (UK) 🎙️ Dheerie Govender (SIS Mauritius) 🎙️ Simon Cook (Sullivan & Worcester LLP) #GTRAfrica #TradeFinance #CommodityTrade #FraudPrevention #RiskManagement #WarehouseReceipts #GlobalTrade 

To what extent can the expansion of African #FIs and influx of new trade players improve trade finance provision across the continent, and which collaborations are supporting this growth? During #GTRAfrica experts examined the key opportunities and headwinds shaping #tradefinance across #Africa, including: 🔹 The expansion of African FIs and new trade players – assessing their impact on trade finance provision. 📉 FX shortages and declining LC activity – challenges in economies such as Nigeria, Egypt, and Tanzania. 🏦 The role of African FIs as a conduit for global trade liquidity – evaluating their evolving capabilities. 🤝 The importance of development finance support and capacity building – enabling greater trade finance access for local banks and regulators. ⚡ Corporate-bank partnerships – how businesses can collaborate with financial institutions to navigate trade finance challenges. A huge thank you to our expert speakers for sharing their insights: 🎙️ Michael Vrontamitis (T3i Partner Network) 🎙️ Richard Agbenu (GHIB- Ghana International Bank) 🎙️ Victor Mashoko (African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) 🎙️ Mosa Tshabalala (Absa Corporate and Investment Banking) 🎙️ Rowly Isioro (Access Bank Plc) As African trade finance continues to evolve, the expansion of regional banks, new market entrants, and stronger cross-sector collaborations will be crucial in unlocking liquidity, enhancing financial access, and driving economic growth across the continent. #GTRAfrica #TradeFinance #AfricanMarkets #FinancialInstitutions #Liquidity #CapacityBuilding #GlobalTrade