{"id":14926,"date":"2025-09-04T11:39:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T11:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/?p=14926"},"modified":"2025-09-04T11:39:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T11:39:47","slug":"lagos-state-government-afrexim-train-253-export-ready-entrepreneurs-unveil-vice-chair-naccima-creative-economy-dr-ngozi-omambala-19-other-trade-champions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nigeriastandardnewspaper.com\/a\/lagos-state-government-afrexim-train-253-export-ready-entrepreneurs-unveil-vice-chair-naccima-creative-economy-dr-ngozi-omambala-19-other-trade-champions\/","title":{"rendered":"Lagos State Government, AFREXIM train 253 export ready entrepreneurs, unveil Vice Chair, NACCIMA Creative Economy, Dr. Ngozi Omambala, 19 other trade champions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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*Business Ambassadors to showcase the best of Made in Lagos products in the Lagos Pavilion to be hosted at the Intra African Trade Fair holding in Algiers in September<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>*\u2018Lagos contributes more than 60 percent of Nigeria\u2019s non-oil exports, which stood at US$5.3 billion in 2024\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>*\u201c<\/strong>By<\/strong> investing your time and energy, you have positioned yourself not only as business leaders in Lagos but as future exporters whose goods and services would soon carry the proud label; Made in Africa\u201d-Regional Chief Operating Officer, Afrexim Bank, Allain Thierry Mbongue<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>*\u201cTo move our SMEs from the streets of Lagos to the shelves of the world. To transform potential into performance. To prepare you not just to meet standards, but to set them\u201d-<\/strong> Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>*\u201cWhen LASERP was conceived, our vision was clear: to prepare Lagos entrepreneurs to compete beyond our shores, to diversify our economy away from the dominance of oil, and to entrench Lagos as the undisputed gateway of trade for Nigeria and the African continent. Our ambassadors are no longer just local champions \u2013 they are export-ready entrepreneurs, positioned to scale, to innovate, and to stand tall in regional and global markets\u201d-Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>*\u201cExport diversification is critical to Nigeria\u2019s long-term economic growth. Programmes like LASERP directly support our broader agenda to grow non-oil exports, expand Nigeria\u2019s global competitiveness, and strengthen women-led enterprises and SMEs. It will serve as a model for similar initiatives across Nigeria\u201d<\/span>-Minister of Finance\/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>*BY DR. GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU, Executive Editor & Group Managing Director, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER Inc USA<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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History was made on Friday, August 22nd<\/sup>, 2025, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island when Lagos State Government, under its Lagos State Export Readiness Programme (LASERP), in conjunction with AFREXIM bank unveiled 20 outstanding Trade Champions to represent the State and showcase the best of Made in Lagos products in the Lagos Pavilion to be hosted at the Intra African Trade Fair (IATF), holding in Algiers in September. The event witnessed trade ambassadors as Vice Chair, NACCIMA Creative Economy, Dr. Ngozi Omambala, 19 other trade champions to fly the flag of Lagos State Overseas.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The ceremony had the presence of captains of industries, and entrepreneurs in attendance. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the unveiling as a new chapter in the story of Lagos enterprise at the graduation and closing ceremony of the programme held in Lagos on Friday.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Represented by his Special Adviser on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, the Governor remarked that the gathering was not merely to close a training programme; but to celebrate resilience, acknowledge courage, and commission a new generation of exporters who will carry the banner of Lagos into Africa and the world.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>His words: \u201cWhen LASERP was conceived, our vision was clear: to prepare Lagos entrepreneurs to compete beyond our shores, to diversify our economy away from the dominance of oil, and to entrench Lagos as the undisputed gateway of trade for Nigeria and the African continent.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cToday, as we witness the graduation of these exceptional SMEs, we see the manifestation of that vision.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cOur ambassadors are no longer just local champions \u2013 they are export-ready entrepreneurs, positioned to scale, to innovate, and to stand tall in regional and global markets.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAlready, Lagos contributes more than 60 percent of Nigeria\u2019s non-oil exports, which stood at US$5.3 billion in 2024, and with this graduating cohort of over 250 SMEs, we project an additional US$1 billion in foreign exchange inflows annually within the next five years.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Minister of Finance\/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, represented by his Special Adviser on Communications, Media, and Publicity, Dr. Ogho Okiti, commended the visionary leadership of the State, particularly the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, under Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, for initiating LASERP.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cI also recognise the invaluable partnership of Afreximbank and ImpactHer in making this programme a success.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThis collaboration demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in unlocking Nigeria\u2019s economic potential.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cExport diversification is critical to Nigeria\u2019s long-term economic growth. Programmes like LASERP directly support our broader agenda to grow non-oil exports, expand Nigeria\u2019s global competitiveness, and strengthen women-led enterprises and SMEs. It will serve as a model for similar initiatives across Nigeria<\/strong>,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, expressed that the gathering was for more than a class of graduates, but to celebrate a movement of exporters, innovators and pioneers who will carry the Lagos spirit across Africa and into the world.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cUnder the visionary leadership of Mr. Governor and Mr. Deputy Governor, Lagos has declared boldly: we will not be local champions; we will be global competitors. That is why LASERP was born.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cTo move our SMEs from the streets of Lagos to the shelves of the world. To transform potential into performance. To prepare you not just to meet standards, but to set them.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAlready, Today is not just another day in our calendar. Today is history in motion. Today is vision becoming reality. Today is Lagos telling the world: we are ready, we are rising, we will lead,\u201d she said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Also speaking at the event, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Afrexim Bank, Allain Thierry Mbongue, affirmed that the programme has set off a new generation of export ready champions who will write the next chapter of Africa\u2019s economic story.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cBy investing your time and energy, you have positioned yourself not only as business leaders in Lagos but as future exporters whose goods and services would soon carry the proud label; Made in Africa<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAt Afrexim Bank, we believe SMEs are not just the backbone of African economies, they are the engine that will power Africa\u2019s economic future under AfCFTA. That is why the bank has laid strategic emphasis on SMEs development,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Founder\/CEO, ImpactHer, Efe Ukala, revealed that the training focused on digital and brand transformation, as entrepreneurs were equipped with what they need to stand out in the digital export world.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cDuring the training, we helped build websites, provided customised digital export marketing strategy, facilitated 5 percent single digit interest loan for participants \u2013 two out of which are being processed, as our participants shipped out over a dozen 20-foot containers of goods over the past 6 weeks while 10 businesses secured international trade certification \u2013 thus securing long term access to new markets,\u201d she said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>According to Director, SME Development, Afrexim Bank, Ody Akhanoba, the training recognised the importance of SMEs to the African economy, and particularly to Lagos, which is the 5th largest economy in the continent.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cI congratulate the SMEs that successfully participated in this programme, this is a testament to your aspiration that what you had was not enough and you devoted good time to acquire what you need to become future export champions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cBut this is not the end, you really need to leverage on your new skills, be resilient and collaborate to take your place in Africa and global marketplace where you belong. Africa industrial revolution rests on your shoulders,\u201d he declared.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Sharing experiences with the graduands, Managing Director, Secure ID, Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe, OON charged the graduands to rise above skepticism and remain resilient and committed to global standards, ensuring high quality products and compliance with international certifications.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cCommitment to quality and global standards is crucial for entering new markets and gaining international recognition, while you need to start small, scale gradually, understand your target market and devise entry strategy,\u201d she said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Managing Partner, Zenforte Partner, Weyinmi Eribo, highlighted 5 principles for the trainees as guides to success; \u201cPrepare deeply because readiness is the foundation of market access; Don\u2019t go alone \u2013 clusters and cooperatives are your allies in scaling; See finance as within reach \u2013 with the right structures, capital will come; Invest in networks \u2013 because trade is built on trust, not just transactions; and Formalise your trade activities \u2013 so you can scale under AfCFTA and beyond,\u201d she said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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