Access Bank Targets Trade Reset with ATC 2026 to Strengthen Africa’s Global Trade Engagement
Access Bank Plc has unveiled ambitious plans for the Africa Trade Conference (ATC 2026), positioning the 2026 edition as a strategic platform to reshape how Africa engages with the global trading system. The bank says the event will deepen policy dialogue, forge economic partnerships, and accelerate intra-continental and international commerce.
According to Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Roosevelt Ogbonna, ATC 2026 — themed “Turning Vision into Velocity: Building Africa’s Trade Ecosystem for Real-World Impact” — is designed to move beyond rhetoric and deliver action-oriented solutions that bolster Africa’s trade infrastructure and competitiveness.
Ogbonna described the conference as more than a traditional gathering, saying it will convene policymakers, investors, development finance institutions, multinational corporations, and African business leaders. The goal is to align strategic thinking with practical initiatives that expand market access, enhance trade finance, and unlock regional value chains.
“With operations in 24 countries globally, including 16 across Africa, Access Bank’s extensive footprint positions it uniquely to facilitate cross-border trade, simplify business complexities, and connect markets, ideas, and opportunities,” Ogbonna said.
Organisers say the conference will spotlight the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with sessions focused on policy harmonisation, infrastructure development, digital transformation, and innovative financing models to support small and medium enterprises and industrial growth.
The second edition of the ATC builds on the success of the inaugural conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2025, where stakeholders discussed ways to address the continent’s trade finance gap and boost intra-African trade.
By harnessing broader collaboration across sectors and markets, Access Bank said it hopes ATC 2026 will help position Africa not just as a participant but as an architect of global trade dynamics
