Access Bank Cameroon Plc will convene a high-level private sector forum on the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC14), with a strategic focus on formalizing informal trade and expanding trade corridors to catalyze sustainable socio-economic transformation across Africa.
The forum, held in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Republic of Cameroon, is designed to provide a practical, solution-driven platform where policy, private sector expertise, and capital converge to unlock formal trade opportunities, enhance market integration, and stimulate job creation and sustainable development.
The forum aims to lead a collaborative public-private dialogue to develop initiatives that formalize informal trade, strengthen trade corridors, and enable sustainable access to capital, technical expertise, and market opportunities.
Key objectives include:
- Developing actionable strategies to integrate informal trade into formal markets.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships to expand trade corridors at regional and continental levels.
- Promoting financial inclusion and sustainable trade financing mechanisms.
- Identifying operational solutions to ESG, logistics, and socio-cultural barriers in African trade.
Key Discussion Points:
The forum will explore actionable strategies in areas including:
- Formalizing informal trade practices.
- Operationalizing government-to-government trade cooperation.
- Value-added transformation in key industries.
- Standards, training, and capacity building.
- Extending logistics and infrastructure.
- Trade financing, capital mobilization, and financial inclusion.
- De-risking trade corridors through ESG infrastructure.
- Addressing socio-cultural barriers to trade.
Strategic Relevance
Africa’s trade potential is immense but under-realized. While regional instruments such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), regional economic communities, and multilateral institutions provide frameworks, gaps remain between policy design and market realities.
“Our goal is to transform trade corridors from informal, fragmented activity into visible, structured, and impactful economic channels. By connecting capital, technology, and policy, we aim to unlock sustainable growth and broaden access to markets for African businesses,” said Ellis Nzo Asu, Managing Director, Access Bank Cameroon.
By focusing on formalization, corridor expansion, and actionable collaboration, the forum is expected to generate tangible outcomes that enhance trade, create jobs, and accelerate inclusive economic growth.
Key Growth Sectors
The forum will spotlight strategic sectors critical to Africa’s trade ecosystem:
- Agriculture and agro-processing.
- Power and utilities.
- Extractive industries.
- Finance and professional services.
- Transportation, logistics, and infrastructure.
- Manufacturing and distribution.
- Digital economy and innovation.
Stakeholders, entrepreneurs, corporates, and development partners are invited to register to participate and follow event updates via Access Bank Cameroon’s official digital platforms:
Secure your participation by registering through the link https://wto.formstack.com/forms/forum_du_secteur_priv_sur_la_formalisation_du_secteur_informel or follow us on our social media channels (Access Bank Cameroon) to stay informed and be part of the conversation.
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