The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a partnership with IBDL Learning Group to expand trade and industrial skills training across Africa, as the lender seeks to address human capital gaps that could limit the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The memorandum of understanding will see the two institutions jointly develop professional certifications, trade-focused boot camps and executive education programs aimed at strengthening Africa’s workforce and supporting regional economic integration.
The initiative will be implemented through Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD), the bank’s training arm, and targets professionals, entrepreneurs, businesses and public institutions involved in trade and industrial development.
“At a time when skills development is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler of Africa’s economic transformation, this partnership represents a tangible investment in the continent’s future trade leaders and institutions,” Stephen Kauma, Afreximbank’s Managing Director for Human Resources, said in a statement.
The agreement comes as African governments and financial institutions seek to deepen intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, which aims to create the world’s largest free trade area by the number of participating countries. While the agreement is expected to boost commerce and industrialization, analysts have said a shortage of specialized trade, logistics and supply chain skills remains a key constraint to implementation.
Under the partnership, AFRACAD and IBDL will develop certification programs covering intra-African trade, industrialization and trade intelligence, alongside boot camps focused on supply chain management and e-commerce skills in collaboration with major operating companies.
The institutions will also expand an African diplomacy certification program first launched in 2024 and introduce trade and economic masterclasses for non-African diplomats as part of efforts to strengthen commercial ties with the continent.
“We are honored to partner with Afreximbank in advancing Africa’s human capital agenda and supporting the vision of a more integrated and competitive African economy,” IBDL Chief Executive Officer Khaled Khallaf said.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to equipping professionals, entrepreneurs, and institutions across the continent with globally recognized skills and practical capabilities that drive trade, innovation, and sustainable economic growth. Through this partnership, we look forward to developing impactful learning pathways that empower Africa’s current and future trade leaders to seize the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
The agreement also includes plans to expand digital learning by making selected IBDL courses available through AFRACAD’s online learning platform and pursuing joint marketing initiatives to broaden access to trade education. IBDL will also support AFRACAD in obtaining full accreditation from Missouri State University.
Afreximbank has increasingly complemented its financing activities with investments in capacity building, viewing workforce development as essential to boosting industrialization, export competitiveness and regional value chains across Africa.
