Trade and finance experts have warned businesses to rethink how they fund operations and manage risks amid ongoing global geopolitical tensions that are disrupting trade flows and supply chains.
This warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited following its participation as a Gold sponsor at the 2026 Global Trade Review West Africa Conference held in Lagos.
The conference, which took place at the Eko Convention Centre, brought together over 600 stakeholders across corporates, financial institutions, fintechs, insurers, and risk managers to examine emerging trends in Africa’s trade and investment landscape.
Speaking during a panel session on export diversification, Head of Transaction Banking, Côte d’Ivoire, Hamed Kourouma, said firms must adopt more structured and strategic financing approaches to remain competitive in an increasingly complex environment.
“Africa’s trade story is no longer about potential; it is about execution. As exporters expand beyond traditional markets, success will depend on how effectively they structure financing, manage risk, and build the right partnerships,” he said.
He added that “the opportunity is significant, but capturing it requires disciplined strategy and practical alignment,” noting that firms that move early and structure intelligently would be better positioned to lead the continent’s next phase of trade growth.
The statement noted that discussions at the conference focused on the impact of global geopolitical tensions, particularly developments in the Gulf, on trade flows and supply chains, as well as on strategies to strengthen economic stability and drive sustainable trade growth.
It also noted that stakeholders examined export diversification, infrastructure financing, digital trade enablement, and the role of structured and supply chain finance in unlocking value across West Africa’s commodity sectors.
Also speaking, Trade Products Manager, Simon Umegbu, stressed the importance of supply chain finance in boosting domestic production and cross-border competitiveness.
“Scaling supply chain finance isn’t just a funding conversation; it’s a strategic imperative for strengthening domestic value chains. By ensuring suppliers have access to predictable liquidity, they can build capacity and deliver reliably,” he said.
He noted that efficient capital flows would enable businesses to expand faster, deepen trade, and improve overall economic productivity.
Commenting on the broader outlook, Head of Trade and Transaction Banking, Nigeria and West Africa at Standard Chartered, Ibiyemi Okuneye, said firms must adapt quickly to evolving global trade dynamics.
“In today’s environment of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade patterns, platforms like GTR West Africa are essential for bringing industry stakeholders together to share practical insights and solutions,” she said.
She added that businesses must prioritise liquidity management, strengthen risk frameworks, and leverage innovative financing structures to navigate disruptions and sustain trade flows.
Okuneye further noted that the focus across the region should shift towards building resilient supply chains, scaling structured trade solutions, and accelerating digital adoption to unlock inclusive growth.
“As global and regional landscapes continue to evolve, the focus must shift towards building resilient supply chains, scaling structured trade solutions, and accelerating digital adoption to unlock inclusive growth,” she said.
She added that strengthening regional value chains and leveraging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area would support sustainable trade expansion and long-term economic transformation across Africa.
The bank stated that its participation in the conference affirmed its commitment to delivering innovative financing solutions to support trade facilitation, economic diversification, and sustainable growth across the continent.
The PUNCH recently reported that the International Monetary Fund issued a directive to global financial authorities to take decisive action to “prevent global financial contagion”, as the ongoing war in the Middle East creates a volatile environment of inflationary pressures and heightening systemic risks.
The Fund called for a multi-pronged policy approach, including completing the Basel III implementation and improving oversight of the nonbank sector.
