FirstBank is stepping up its efforts to boost trade and investment across the region by sponsoring the Global Trade Review (GTR) West Africa 2026 conference. It is set to take place on 22 and 23 April 2026 in Lagos.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, highlighted the bank’s pivotal position in the financial sector as the driving force behind its support for the gathering.
Olayinka said, “As a bank with six subsidiaries across the West African region, FirstBank is taking a leading role in promoting trade and investment throughout sub-Saharan Africa,” he said also add, “We are strongly committed to making the most of our presence in these markets to support business growth in every country where we operate. By embracing platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), we’re making intra-African transactions smoother, helping SMEs and larger businesses thrive, and strengthening the overall competitiveness of African enterprises.”
Organisers expect around 450 delegates from 200 companies and 15 countries to attend, with 45 speakers sharing knowledge and facilitating networking over the two days.
Among the notable speakers are Nneka Korley-Ndahi, Head of Transaction Banking Sales at FirstBank; Oluseye Thomas, Head of Export, Structured Trade Finance & Trade Solutions at FirstBank; Queenette Durosinmi-Etti, Chief Operating Officer of UAC of Nigeria; Adesanmi Adedayo, Senior Vice-President of Structured Trade Finance at Standard Bank Group; Innocent Isichei, CEO of ACIOE Associates; and Karim Ezzeddine, Vice-President at SkyKapital.
According to the organizers, the event aims to provide practical insights and forward-looking perspectives on the key factors shaping trade in West Africa. It will dive into shared trends, obstacles, and practical solutions in sectors like agribusiness, hard commodities, risk management, and infrastructure development.
