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Boosting Global Trade with Stanbic IBTC
Trade is crucial to bridging economic gaps and boosting infrastructural development. Countries with international solid trade portfolios tend to grow faster, innovate more and provide higher incomes and economic opportunities for their citizens.
Beyond integration into the global economy through trade and global value chains that help drive economic growth, open trade also benefits low-income households by giving consumers the opportunity of accessing affordable goods and services.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the continuous growth of global economies with disruptions in credit supplies, restriction of access to credit, and detrimental health challenges. Gross Domestic Product in Africa contracted by two per cent, while over 30 million people on the continent became impoverished.
The pandemic also impacted Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) with increased calls for investment and funding, especially in the financing of vaccines, to stem the rise of the pandemic. Furthermore, the MDBs were forced to become more agile while fostering deeper connections amongst clients across the continent. These were some of the issues discussed at the 2021 Global Trade Review.
The Global Trade Review is an annual event where global experts in the trade and commerce industries discuss international trade as it affects the economies of each continent and country and seeks solutions to manoeuvre challenges that may be presented.
Last year’s COVID-19 pandemic affected virtually every sector of the global economy. Speaking as a panellist in the 2021 Global Trade Review with the theme “Mobilising Development Finance: A necessity for Africa’s economic resurgence”, Jesuseun Fatoyinbo, Head, Trade at Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, said that financial service providers, as part of the global community, were also affected by the pandemic.
Jesuseun highlighted the financial institution’s role in partnering with various businesses to boost trade and commerce in terms of economic recovery. According to him, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC established administrative support for its network of clients, which included reaching out to them frequently to understand their business concerns and guide Stanbic IBTC in providing support. The financial institution offered financial support to small and medium scale enterprises affected by the pandemic.
Stanbic IBTC’s unique intra-African trade solutions enabled settlements of international transactions while mitigating payment risks on the continental stage.
As global trade resumes fully, the need for cross-border payments remain imperative as Africa remains a significant trade partner with China; thus, the significance of Stanbic IBTC’s Africa China Trade Solutions Import (ACTS Import), a solution tailored at providing top-notch financial solutions to African importers who transact with China. The solution provides exclusive access to an accredited trade agent responsible for connecting African businesses to an array of suppliers across China. The appointed agent provides access to over 10,000 Chinese suppliers and assesses suppliers to ensure their products meet global standards.
ACTS Import offers a broad ecosystem of services, solutions, and support, which equip African businesses to leverage trade and growth opportunities and ultimately drive Africa’s economic growth. This support enables African importers to have sufficient lead time to procure their goods before making payment. It also helps to ease the cash flow of African importers by providing access to financing while also empowering the importers to have end-to-end visibility of the entire importation and logistic process.
In the global economy, no country is self-sufficient as there are inter-dependencies with other countries at different levels of trade. Integration into the global economy has proven to be a powerful tool for countries to promote economic growth, development, and reduce poverty. Stanbic IBTC also engaged in strategic partnerships with other multilateral and regional organisations such as the African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in the facilitation and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) agreement to the benefits of its clients. Furthermore, it has continued to provide financial guarantees and solutions to small and medium scale enterprises on the continent, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the continent’s economic space.
Similarly, through the Stanbic IBTC Trade Club solution, there is access to unlimited opportunities for business owners to meet and trade with suppliers anywhere in the world. The Stanbic IBTC Trade Club solution provides business financing solutions to entrepreneurs who need funds to carry out their domestic or cross-border trade activities. It also offers exposure for business owners to meet and trade with suppliers anywhere in the world, giving them the needed exposure for their businesses to thrive. The solution identifies with businesses, empowering them with the required trade tools and expertise and linking them with new global trade partnerships they can trust while nurturing their growth through good human relationships.
The Stanbic IBTC Trade Club provides entrepreneurs with the relevant tips and the right tools to build their businesses. It also provides valuable information regarding business models, accounting, marketing, and legal aspects that enable businesses to achieve set goals.
With Stanbic IBTC’s unique financial offerings, Africa remains on the part of the economic resurgence that will eventually enable the continent to compete with other world economies.
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Much more than commemorating the annual Children’s Day marked every May 27, Zenith Bank Plc is championing thenarrativethatchildrenarethetrueleadersoftomorrow.TheBankhasdeepeneditsinvestmentincarefullycuratedinitiativesthatelevatechildrenacrosseducation,financialliteracy,health,digitalinclusion,andsocialprotection,building a generation equipped to thrive and lead. For Zenith Bank, every child matters, and the Bank’s footprint reflectsa deliberate, pan-African strategy to nurture potential from the earliest age.Zenith Bank has been the financial institution partner to Kiddies Corner on Inspiration 92.3FM Lagos for over threeyears, anchoring the Tuesday edition and Zenith Financial Literacy Friday show. The programme blends spelling beecontestswithfinancialliteracyquestions,creatingawarenessandonboardingchildrenintotheZenithChildren’sAccount (ZECA). This partnership came alive at the Inspiration FM Children’s Day Carnival on Saturday, May 23, 2026,whereZenithBankhostedover1,000childrenandtheirparents,celebratingZECAwinnerswithgames,skits,andZenith Bank branded gifts.The Bank’s Zenith Financial Literacy Week, held quarterly, takes this mission into select schools across all 36 statesandtheFCT.Studentsaretrainedonsavings,budgeting,basicinvestments,anditsretailproducts,withthetopperformer in each school awarded N50,000. Complementing this is the Bank’s nationwide Financial Literacy ProgramundertheCBN-mandatedGlobalMoneyWeek,whichin2025alonereached3,622studentsacross22LGAs,deploying 137 bank employee volunteers as educators.In alignment with the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education, Zenith Bankhasdonatedstate-of-the-artICTcentresandcomputersystemstoschoolsanduniversitiesnationwide,includingaComputerCentretoBamainaAcademy,Dutse,JigawaState.Itstransformativeinterventionsincludefullyequippedlibraries,vocationalfacilities,andlarge-scaleschoolrenovations,fromOjotaSecondarySchoolandVictoriaIslandSecondary School in Lagos to Hugallawa Primary School in Jigawa. Targeted financial support further breaks barrierswith N1 million cash donation to Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Itele, supporting girl-child education; infrastructureupgrades at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School; a N1 million scholarship endowment for St. Francis CatholicSecondary School; and support for the North-East Children’s Fund to aid education in conflict-affected communities.Through its Primary Healthcare Centre Initiative across all 774 LGAs, Zenith Bank educates parents on early childhoodsavings during routine visits, linking health and financial well-being. The “PAD-A-QUEEN” Initiative commemorates theInternational Day of the Girl Child, reaching5,000 girls in 10 schools withsanitary pads, hygiene kits, and menstrualhealth education to keep girls in school and promote SDGs 3, 4, and 5.The Bank’s compassion extends to the most vulnerable. At Bethesda Home and School for the Blind, Idi Oro, Lagos,Zenith donatedbraille materials,food, and toiletries.For the2026 InternationalDay forStreet Children,it partneredwithBosco Child Protection Centre on medical check-ups, food, clothing, and counseling. Annual Christmas Charity Visits toorphanagesdelivercash,toys,andessentialsupplies,whilesupportfortheSmileandShineChildrenFoundation’sStrive Conference empowers over 2,000 adolescents with life skills and leadership training.Commenting on the Bank’s intentionality towards the development of children, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, GroupManaging Director/CEO, ZenithBank Plc, said, “AtZenith Bank, weare deliberate about initiativesthat elevate childrenbecausetheyarenotjustourfuture,theyareourpresentresponsibility.AsWhitneyHoustonsopoignantlysang,‘Ibelievethechildrenarethefuture,teachthemwellandletthemleadtheway.’Thatisthephilosophydrivingourinvestmentsineducation,financialliteracy,health,anddigitalinclusion.FromKiddiesCornertoICTcentres,fromPHCs to orphanages, we are teaching them well, equipping them early, and giving them the tools to lead. Zenith Bankrenews its commitment to every Nigerian child, to nurture their dreams, protect their dignity, and secure their tomorrow.”Championing youth expression, the Zenith Annual Youth Parade, hosted by the Bank for 19 years, stands as a flagshipCorporate Social Responsibilityinitiative. Bringing togetherthousands of childrenand teenagers in avibrant showcaseof unity and discipline, the parade has remained dedicated since inception to the vital mission of supporting, nurturing, -
andempoweringtheNigerianchild,reinforcingtheBank’sbeliefthatleadershipislearnedearlythroughteamwork,confidence, and celebration of young Nigerian identity.ForZenithBank,Children’sDayismorethanadateonthecalendar.Itisadailypledgetoempower,protect,andprepareNigeria’schildrenforleadership.Fromclassroomstocommunities, the Bank’s initiatives are teaching them welland letting them lead the way because the future belongs to children who are equipped today.
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the opening of its Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary, marking a pivotal achievement in the Group’s Pan-African expansion strategy.The official opening ceremony, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, is expected to attract senior government officials and regulators from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, continental business leaders, and members of the diplomatic community, highlighting the strategic economic ties and investment opportunities between the two markets.The new subsidiary, licensed in December 2025 by the Ministry of Finance and Budget, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, will commence operations from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan.The launch represents a strategic move to deepen the Bank’s presence in Francophone West Africa and strengthen financial intermediation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Positioned as a gateway for cross-border trade and investment, Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions tailored to businesses operating across Africa and internationally.Commenting on the launch, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, said: “From the very beginning, our Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia CFR, set out to build a truly global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets. The launch of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire is a bold step in realising that vision; opening a strategic corridor into Francophone West Africa and reinforcing our commitment to facilitating trade, investment, and enterprise growth across the continent. As we continue to expand thoughtfully and strategically, we remain focused on delivering world-class banking solutions that connect African businesses to global opportunities.”The new subsidiary will be headed by MD/CEO Mr. Cédric Tano, a seasoned banking executive with over two decades of experience. Speaking ahead of the official opening, he said “We are proud to establish Zenith Bank’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire at a time of strong economic growth in the country and increasing regional integration. Our focus is to showcase the Zenith brand as a customer-centric institution that combines global best practices with deep local insight. We are well positioned to support businesses with innovative financing solutions, facilitate cross-border trade, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Ivorian economy and the wider WAEMU region.”The Côte d’Ivoire launch forms part of Zenith Bank’s broader continental growth strategy. In addition to the Anglophone countries where it currently operates, and in line with the expansion into the Francophone market, the Bank has commenced its entry process into the CEMAC (Central African Economic and Monetary Community) region, with Cameroon as the focal point. With a footprint already spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, and China, Zenith Bank continues to bridge African markets with global opportunities, enabling seamless trade and financial connectivity across the continent and beyond.
Founded in 1990, Zenith Bank has grown into one of Africa’s most respected banking institutions, boasting a robust capital base and a consistent track record of strong financial performance. For 16 consecutive years, the Bank has held the record of highest Tier-1 capital in the Nigerian banking industry. Built on the foundation of People, Technology, and Service, Zenith Bank continues to deliver innovative financial solutions while maintaining a disciplined approach to growth and risk management. Its performance has earned it numerous local and international recognitions and endorsements.
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