By Seun Ibiyemi
FirstBank of Nigeria has confirmed its sponsorship of the Global Trade Review West Africa 2026 conference scheduled to hold on Wednesday and Thursday in Lagos.
The event, set to take place at Eko Hotel and Suites, will bring together key stakeholders across West Africa’s trade and finance ecosystem.
Organisers expect over 450 delegates from 200 companies across 15 countries, with 45 speakers leading discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
The conference is designed to provide actionable insights and forward-looking analysis on regional trade, with focus areas including agribusiness, commodities, risk mitigation, and infrastructure development.
Speaking on the bank’s participation, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, said FirstBank remains committed to driving trade and investment across sub-Saharan Africa.
“We leverage our presence across six West African subsidiaries to enhance business growth and strengthen regional trade integration,” Ijabiyi said.
He noted that the adoption of platforms such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) has improved transaction efficiency across African markets.
“PAPSS supports SMEs and corporates while boosting competitiveness across the continent,” he added.
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The conference will feature prominent economic analysts and industry leaders, including Nneka Korley-Ndahi, Oluseye Thomas, Queenette Durosinmi-Etti, Adesanmi Adedayo, Innocent Isichei, and Karim Ezzeddine.
Ijabiyi said the sponsorship underscores FirstBank’s commitment to stimulating economic growth and strengthening trade capabilities across West Africa.
He added that the bank’s participation aligns with its goal of positioning itself as a thought leader in regional trade and finance.
