Lagos Partners with AfreximBank and ImpactHER to Launch Export Readiness Programme for SMEs
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, has officially unveiled the Lagos SMEs Export Readiness Programme (LASERP). This strategic initiative is a collaborative effort with AfreximBank, a leading Pan-African multilateral financial institution dedicated to promoting intra- and extra-African trade, and ImpactHER, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering African women entrepreneurs by bridging gender financing gaps. The programme aims to help Lagos-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) expand their reach beyond Nigeria’s borders under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
During the opening ceremony held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Mrs. Folashade Bada Ambrose, Lagos State’s Honorable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, emphasized the significance of the initiative. She described the launch as a pivotal step toward broadening Lagos MSMEs’ participation in international trade. She highlighted that 253 SMEs had been shortlisted to participate in the week-long training, which is designed to transform local businesses into competitive exporters, fostering wealth creation, job growth, and economic prosperity for Lagos and Nigeria.
“The concept of export readiness is more than just a buzzword; it is an economic necessity,” Mrs. Ambrose stated. “In an era of regional integration and the operationalization of AfCFTA, our vibrant enterprises must shift from local champions to continental contenders. Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic engine, must accelerate forward—this programme is the vehicle to propel us into new markets and intra-African commerce.”
She appreciated the collaboration with AfreximBank and ImpactHER for their commitment to advancing trade and industrialization across Africa and empowering women-led businesses. She explained that the intensive training, starting from July 4, 2025, will equip participants with practical skills across key areas such as export documentation, regulatory compliance, product packaging, trade finance, logistics, customs procedures, market entry strategies under AfCFTA, digital trade, e-commerce, and gender-responsive exporting.
Mrs. Ambrose also announced that the top 20 participants will be selected to represent Lagos at the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, Algeria, scheduled for September 2025. These “Lagos Export Ambassadors” will engage with over 1.3 billion consumers, investors, and policymakers across the continent.
In his remarks, Mr. Ody Akhanoba, Director of SME Development at AfreximBank, congratulated the selected beneficiaries, emphasizing that their inclusion reflects their dedication and potential to succeed in export markets. He highlighted the bank’s ongoing efforts to provide capacity-building opportunities that increase Africa’s export capacity, noting that AfreximBank has trained over 3,000 African SMEs through tailored incubator and accelerator programs.
“The time is ripe for SMEs to become more competitive internationally,” Mr. Akhanoba stated. “Our strategic interventions—including trade facilitation, capacity building, and market access—are designed to empower SMEs across Africa to participate meaningfully in global trade.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Olugbenga Aina, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership in fostering economic growth and SME development. He described the Lagos State/AfreximBank Accelerator Programme as a groundbreaking initiative that will equip local SMEs with the necessary tools to scale up and succeed globally.
ImpactHER’s representative, Clementina Uzogor, outlined the six-week training program, which includes four weeks of intensive training followed by two weeks of mentorship. She explained that the program aims to enhance the export capabilities of women-led MSMEs, facilitate networking with trade experts, and increase market exposure. The initiative also seeks to strengthen Lagos’s trade ecosystem and provide participants with opportunities for visibility and growth.
This collaborative effort underscores Lagos’s commitment to sustainable economic development through empowering its SMEs to tap into the vast opportunities within Africa’s integrated market.