Algiers, Algeria – At the International African Trade Forum 2025 on Friday, government leaders, multilateral institutions, and private sector representatives met to discuss strategies for positioning African exporters in global markets.
Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Chairperson of the World Customs Organization, opened the session with a keynote on the role of trade facilitation and customs reform in boosting competitiveness.
The discussion, moderated by Didi Akinyelure, Director of REAP Media, included perspectives from across the continent. Khaled Bouchelgham, Advisor to the Presidency of Algeria, spoke on policy frameworks to support exporters. Dr. Pamela Coke Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, called for inclusive strategies that integrate SMEs and women-led businesses.
Nikhil Gandhi, Executive Director of Arise IIP, discussed industrial platforms as a tool for scaling value-added exports, while Adeeb Y. Al Aama, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, stressed innovative financing as a critical enabler.
Private sector voices also contributed, with Chakib Boublenza, Directeur Général of SARL Boublenza, sharing insights on challenges exporters face in international markets. South Africa’s Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Hon. Kenneth Morolong, urged governments to champion integration and competitiveness across the continent.
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