The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, has partnered with the African Export-Import Bank and non-profit organisation ImpactHer to launch the Lagos SMEs Export Readiness Programme.
The initiative, announced in a statement on Sunday, is designed to equip Small and Medium Enterprises with the skills and support needed to expand beyond Nigeria, in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Export Readiness Training Programme, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, described the launch as a defining moment in the state’s commitment to boosting international trade participation among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
She noted that the initiative marks a bold step toward transforming Lagos-based businesses into globally competitive exporters, with the potential to create jobs, build wealth, and drive economic growth in both Lagos and Nigeria. Ambrose also revealed that 253 SMEs have been selected to participate in the programme.
“The concept of export readiness is not just a trending term but an economic imperative.
In an era marked by regional integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area operationalisation, we cannot afford to keep our vibrant enterprises confined to domestic markets.
“Our MSMEs must evolve from local champions to continental contenders. Nigeria, and Lagos State, in particular, have long been regarded as the economic engine of West Africa. But being an engine is not enough if we are not propelling forward. This programme is the vehicle that will drive us into new markets, beyond borders, and into the centre of intra-African commerce,” she said.
She noted that the week-long training has been carefully structured to demystify the export process, equip participants with practical skills, and provide a clear roadmap for engaging in cross-border trade.
According to her, the training, which begins on July 4, 2025, will feature intensive sessions on key areas such as export documentation and regulatory compliance, international packaging and labelling standards, trade finance and export credit guarantees, logistics and customs procedures, market entry strategies under the AfCFTA, digital trade and e-commerce, as well as gender-responsive exporting tailored for women-led MSMEs.
“And that is not all. At the end of this training, 20 outstanding participants will be selected to represent Lagos at the Intra-African Trade Fair scheduled to be held in Algiers, Algeria, in September 2025. The Fair is a gateway to over 1.3 billion consumers and provides a chance to engage buyers, investors, partners, and policy influencers from across the continent. Our selected trainees will become Lagos’ Export Ambassadors,” she said.
In his remarks, the Director of SME Development at Afreximbank, Mr. Ody Akhanoba, congratulated the selected beneficiaries, describing their selection as a testament to their commitment to building successful export-oriented businesses. He also highlighted that the initiative reflects the bank’s broader goal of deepening Africa’s participation in global trade.
Akhanoba emphasized that equipping SMEs with the necessary resources through targeted capacity-building programmes presents a vital opportunity to boost the continent’s share of exports.
“We are at the edge of turning on the SME’s capacity to be more competitive in the market. With that in mind, we have taken concrete steps to promote the participation of SMEs in the African landscape through strategic interventions, such as facilitating trade and finance, capacity building, and market access,” he added.
