AfCFTA implementation gets skills boost as Afreximbank and IBDL launch trade certification programmes

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and IBDL Learning Group signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday to launch trade certification programs across Africa. According to officials, the partnership aims to boost skills and institutional capacity to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by providing professional education in trade, manufacturing, and economic integration.

Under the memorandum of understanding signed Tuesday, Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) and IBDL Learning Group will jointly develop and deliver professional certification programs aimed at enhancing skills in intra-African trade, manufacturing, industrial development, and economic integration, officials said. The partnership is designed to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by providing structured training and credentials for professionals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and public institutions across the continent, according to Afreximbank sources.

The new training initiatives include certification programs focused on trade intelligence and manufacturing, complemented by specialized boot camps on supply chain management and e-commerce.

These boot camps will be developed with industry partners to address practical challenges faced by businesses operating under AfCFTA frameworks, officials confirmed. The certification tracks will incorporate content from AFRACAD’s existing portfolio, such as the program “AfCFTA: Its Genesis, Dimensions and Prospects,” which covers trade and investment opportunities, market entry strategies, logistics, regulatory compliance, and trade finance instruments relevant to AfCFTA, according to program materials.

IBDL Learning Group will assist Afreximbank Academy in obtaining full academic accreditation from Missouri State University, a move expected to enhance the international recognition and credibility of AFRACAD’s trade-related certification programs, sources said. This accreditation effort is part of the broader partnership framework, which also includes cooperation on digital learning platforms, joint marketing, and expanding educational offerings to both African and non-African stakeholders.

Afreximbank’s training arm, AFRACAD, is responsible for designing and delivering the new certification and training programs using its digital and blended learning management systems, records show. AFRACAD currently runs flagship courses such as the Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA), aimed at addressing skill gaps in trade finance among banking professionals. Registration for the 2026 COTFIA program opened March 17, 2026, with applications accepted until May 31, 2026, Afreximbank communications confirmed.

In addition to certification programs, Afreximbank announced the third edition of its AfCFTA Training Programme for African corporates, scheduled for June 16–18, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt. The training is designed to help businesses understand AfCFTA provisions and maximize trade opportunities within the integrated continental market, according to Afreximbank’s communications and events manager, Vincent Musumba. This recurring program aims to build capacity for export growth, compliance with AfCFTA regulations, and the use of trade finance and logistics solutions.

The partnership targets a broad audience, including professionals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and public institutions involved in AfCFTA activities. It also plans to offer advanced masterclasses for African diplomats, building on a Distinguished Certificate in African Diplomacy launched in 2024 by AFRACAD and IBDL. Future initiatives will extend training to non-African diplomats to ensure external partners are informed about AfCFTA’s regulatory environment and opportunities, sources said. The programs will be supplemented by conferences, workshops, policy dialogues, and a “Trade Voices” Webinar Series to promote knowledge sharing and awareness of AfCFTA benefits.

The training content addresses critical technical themes necessary for AfCFTA implementation, such as managing logistics, cross-border trade compliance, and leveraging trade finance instruments. These areas have been identified as barriers to effective intra-African trade, according to Afreximbank and IBDL officials. By embedding AfCFTA-specific content into certification tracks, the partnership aims to build the skills base required for both policy-level understanding and operational competence in AfCFTA trade.

Afreximbank Academy’s role as a continental training platform positions it as a key institutional mechanism for equipping African businesses and institutions with the skills needed to utilize AfCFTA frameworks effectively, officials said. The combination of formal certification, boot camps, masterclasses, and webinars creates a capacity-building ecosystem intended to support sustained implementation and uptake of AfCFTA agreements.

The partnership aligns with Afreximbank’s broader mandate to support economic transformation and deepen regional integration through skills development. By strengthening trade-related knowledge and manufacturing capabilities, the programs aim to reduce capacity constraints that have hindered AfCFTA’s operationalization. The enhanced academic accreditation and expanded training offerings are expected to encourage wider adoption of trade and AfCFTA-related qualifications across African and international institutions, according to Afreximbank sources.