Access Bank Plc has intensified calls for deeper collaboration among African stakeholders as the continent seeks to unlock the full potential of intra-African trade and economic integration.
Speaking at the Access Bank Africa Trade Conference (ATC) 2026 in South Africa, the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Roosevelt Ogbonna, urged policymakers, financiers and business leaders to work more closely. He stressed that stronger partnerships remain critical to accelerating trade across African borders.
Ogbonna explained that Africa continues to face structural barriers that slow down trade growth despite its vast market size and opportunities. However, he noted that the conference builds on conversations initiated during the inaugural 2025 edition, with a clear focus on delivering measurable progress.
He pointed out that Africa still accounts for a relatively small share of global trade. In addition, fragmented trade corridors and persistent bottlenecks continue to limit seamless commerce across the continent. As a result, many small and medium-sized businesses struggle to expand beyond their domestic markets.
“The reality is that Africa still controls a small share of global trade. Trade corridors remain fragmented, and too many businesses face constraints when attempting to scale across borders,” Ogbonna said.
He highlighted three priority areas identified at the previous conference. First, stakeholders must break down silos between governments, financial institutions and businesses. Second, Africa needs a trade ecosystem powered by reliable data and analytics. Third, systems must support both large corporations and small enterprises seeking cross-border expansion.
Furthermore, Ogbonna noted that the 2026 conference represents a continuation of progress rather than a fresh start. He added that emerging value chains across agriculture, manufacturing and services already signal positive momentum. At the same time, African brands are expanding beyond borders and gaining global recognition.
Technology also plays a growing role in transforming trade across the continent. Digital platforms now reduce friction in payments, logistics and market access. Nevertheless, Ogbonna acknowledged that these gains remain uneven, with progress concentrated in select markets.
Meanwhile, the African Development Bank’s Director General for Southern Africa, Kennedy Mbekeani, emphasized the urgent need to mobilize private capital. He stated that infrastructure financing remains essential to unlocking Africa’s trade integration.
According to him, many governments face fiscal constraints, making private sector investment increasingly important. Therefore, stronger capital mobilization strategies will be required to close infrastructure gaps and support long-term growth.
On the policy front, Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, stressed the importance of alignment among African nations. He explained that consistent and coordinated policies would help drive effective trade systems across the continent.
Similarly, Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ajare, pointed to implementation gaps as a major challenge. She argued that Africa already has sufficient policy frameworks but lacks harmonized execution.
Ajare also called for mutual recognition of standards across countries. She warned that excessive verification processes could slow down trade and reduce efficiency. Instead, countries should adopt shared certification systems to ease cross-border transactions.
In addition, Botswana’s Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, highlighted the evolving role of governments. He explained that modern governments must focus on creating enabling environments rather than controlling economic activities.
He further noted that Botswana is repositioning itself as a strategic trade corridor. By shifting from a “landlocked” to a “land-linked” perspective, the country aims to connect markets and unlock new economic opportunities.
Ogbonna concluded by urging stakeholders to move beyond discussions and take concrete actions. He emphasized that Africa’s economic transformation depends on collective commitment and practical collaboration.
“This conference must go beyond dialogue. It should become a catalyst for real change in intra-African trade,
