Providus unveils initiative to drive SMEs into global trade

Providus Bank has launched its “Training to Transaction (T2T) Programme,” a flagship initiative aimed at transitioning African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from export readiness into active participation in international trade. The programme, developed in partnership with Borderless Trade and Investment, Duchess NL, and the Global African Business Association under the ECOWAS Parliament at 25 […]

Providus Bank has launched its “Training to Transaction (T2T) Programme,” a flagship initiative aimed at transitioning African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from export readiness into active participation in international trade.

The programme, developed in partnership with Borderless Trade and Investment, Duchess NL, and the Global African Business Association under the ECOWAS Parliament at 25 Programme, is designed to bridge a longstanding gap in Africa’s trade ecosystem — the disconnect between training and actual execution of trade transactions.

Through a structured approach that combines practical capacity building, regulatory compliance alignment, and direct market access, the T2T Programme seeks to move SMEs beyond theoretical preparation to achieving measurable outcomes in global markets.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Biodun Ariyo, Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance at Providus Bank, emphasised the critical role financial institutions play in fostering regional trade growth.

He noted that banks are increasingly collaborating with regional institutions to expand trade financing and facilitate seamless cross-border transactions for businesses.

Also speaking, Ernest Elue, Head of Strategy and Innovation at Providus Bank, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to enabling real economic impact.

“At Providus Bank, we believe that sustainable economic growth is driven not just by preparing businesses, but by enabling them to perform. The T2T Programme reflects our commitment to transforming potential into productivity, by equipping African SMEs with the tools, standards, and access required to compete and transact globally,” he said.

 

The programme offers participating SMEs hands-on export readiness support, transaction execution guidance, advisory on international regulatory and compliance requirements, and structured access to markets across Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

 

It targets high-growth sectors with strong export potential, including agro and agro-processing, cosmetics, beverages, garment making and textiles, as well as leather and tanning.

 

The initiative aligns with Providus Bank’s broader strategy to drive trade-led economic expansion by empowering indigenous enterprises to scale beyond domestic markets and integrate into global value chains.

 

Applications for the programme are currently open and will close on April 15, 2026.

 

Providus Bank said the programme further reinforces its role in supporting enterprise growth, enhancing cross-border trade, and promoting sustainable economic development across Africa