Polaris Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s non-oil export ecosystem and empowering micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as it unveiled a dedicated help desk as part of its partnership with the business and trade community.
It expressed that commitment at the NAHCO and NACCIMA Export Group Programme themed ‘Breaking Barriers: Helping SMEs Navigate Export Procedures for Agro Products and Other Commodities’, a statement from the bank on Sunday indicated.
Polaris Bank unveiled the dedicated help desk specifically for members of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, designed to provide direct access to trade finance and payment support, fast-track resolution of export-related enquiries, and personalised advisory services on FX documentation and regulatory compliance.
The PUNCH reports that the one-day engagement brought together regulators, industry stakeholders, exporters and trade bodies to develop practical solutions for easing trade barriers, improving access to finance and building a more resilient and diversified Nigerian economy.
The programme also marked the formal introduction and launch of the NACCIMA Export Group and the NAHCO Export Support Centre for MSMEs in Nigeria, a structured platform for exporters to access trade facilitation services, logistics support, regulatory guidance and financial solutions across the export value chain.
Speaking at the programme, Polaris Bank’s Executive Director, Chris Ofikulu, underscored the national importance of export diversification and the central role of SMEs in building a resilient economy.
He noted that reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenues requires coordinated action across the public and private sectors to strengthen non-oil exports, particularly within agro-exports and commodity trade.
“Expanding non-oil exports is not optional; it is a strategic imperative for building a resilient, inclusive and competitive Nigerian economy. SMEs, particularly in agro-exports and commodity trade, hold the key to unlocking our true comparative advantage. Polaris Bank remains committed to providing the finance, advisory support and partnerships required to help them scale confidently and compete globally,” Ofikulu said.
The engagement also focused on addressing structural challenges confronting exporters, including infrastructure gaps, port inefficiencies, logistics constraints, standards and certification requirements, and policy consistency.
Also addressing stakeholders, Team Lead, Trade Services, Polaris Bank, Olaleye Arinola, highlighted the importance of removing trade and payment bottlenecks that limit exporter competitiveness and cash flow. He emphasised the bank’s focus on building confidence and certainty into the export process through practical financial and advisory support.
“Exports cannot grow if finance and payments remain obstacles. At Polaris Bank, our focus is on removing friction from international trade by ensuring SMEs get paid faster, safer and with greater certainty through efficient trade finance, secure cross-border payments and hands-on guidance across documentation, FX and compliance,” Arinola said.
Participants emphasised the need for stronger public-private collaboration among government agencies, trade bodies, financial institutions and logistics partners to simplify export procedures and improve market access for Nigerian SMEs.
