By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
A RENEWED push to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export sector has gained momentum with the successful hosting of the 18th edition of the Export Management Programme (EMP 18).
Organised by Fidelity Bank Plc, the capacity development initiative in Lagos provided entrepreneurs with the necessary expertise to navigate global trade opportunities.
In partnership with the Lagos Business School (LBS), the five-day intensive programme focused on equipping business owners with essential knowledge to expand into international markets and enhance their competitiveness in the export sector.
“At Fidelity Bank, our strategy to enhance non-oil exports is guided by the significant opportunities it offers to our customers and the national economy.
“This is why we offer a comprehensive suite of financial, advisory, and market-access solutions for businesses aiming to engage in international trade,” said Isaiah Ndukwe, Divisional Head of Export and Agriculture at Fidelity Bank Plc.
He added, “Our market-access initiative, EMP, launched in 2016, has trained over 1,600 entrepreneurs. Today, we completed the 18th cohort with high-caliber participants and a 150% oversubscription. This indicates a promising future for Nigeria’s non-oil exports.”
EMP 18 was facilitated by leading industry experts who guided participants through key aspects of global trade, including Export Finance Instruments, Export Documentation, and Market Accessibility.
A highlight of the programme was a guided facility tour of one of Nigeria’s busiest Export Processing Terminals (EPT) in Ikorodu, Lagos. Conducted by officials from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the visit offered participants a hands-on understanding of the regulatory approval processes for export operations.
Patrick Ulayi Awu-Patricks, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Alliance & Frontier Limited, praised Fidelity Bank for its continued leadership in building export capacity.
“There are numerous non-oil export opportunities, and entrepreneurs must be able to identify and capitalise on these to play effectively in the international trade space. This course has provided invaluable insights into the power of data for strategic decision-making,” he noted.
