The Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) has announced the opening of registration for the 2023 cohort of the Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA).
This is contained in a statement signed by Afreximbank’s Media Contact, Amadou Sall on Tuesday in Abuja.
Sall said the announcement was made on Tuesday in Cairo.
He said COTFIA was developed in partnership with Factors Chain International (FCI) and the American University in Cairo (AUC).
According to Sall, the programme is open to all banking professionals and interested practitioners in the area of trade finance.
“COTFIA is AFRACAD’s flagship programme designed to support the implementation of one of Afreximbank’s strategic priorities.
“This includes improving trade-related skills and addressing trade capacity gaps to facilitate a more conducive trading environment, enabling Africa to compete globally.”
He said the content of the programme had been carefully developed to enhance participants’ understanding of all aspects of international trade finance while being continuously updated to conform to best practices.
“In addition, the COTFIA programme addresses various aspects related to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement which is expected to have a significant impact on improving intra-African trade.
“For the 2023 cohort, the COTFIA programme will continue to be conducted in a blended format with five modules delivered online in instructor-led virtual sessions.
“One module delivered in face-to-face sessions at the AUC campus in New Cairo, Egypt, while the final module will be asynchronous online.”
Sall said the deadline for applications for the 2023 COTFIA programme is April 2.
He said just as in previous cohorts, the Afreximbank Academy would be offering the first seven applicants for the 2023 programme a scholarship covering 50 per cent of the tuition fees.
Stephen Tio Kauma, Afreximbank Group’s Director and Global Head of Human Resources, was quoted as saying “we are delighted to once again open the application process for the COTFIA programme which we have been running for seven years now.
“With the creation of the Afreximbank Academy in 2022, we have embarked on further developing local talent through learning, knowledge sharing, and networking events focused on Africa’s needs.”
Kauma said the COTFIA programme was facilitated by leading practitioners, academics and professional experts in the field.
He said the programme enabled participants to gain unique insights while deepening their understanding and expertise in international trade finance.
“We strongly encourage organisations to enroll their staff members in this programme which will help them accelerate their career growth in international trade finance.”
Sall said no fewer than 100 trainees across seven cohorts had so far participated in the programme since its inception in 2016.
He said Sweetie Anang, a staff member in Afreximbank’s Innovation Department, who completed the programme as part of COTFIA’s 7th cohort, described it as an enlightening programme that enhanced her understanding of trade finance issues.
Anang was quoted as saying “coming from a purely science and technology background and never having worked in the banking and finance sector, this was new territory.
“It was also an opportunity to gain new knowledge and insight into a completely new field. The instructors encourage dialogue and are willing to clear up any doubts.
“The COTFIA programme is very informative and has allowed me to learn more about the continent and its regional blocs, the potential for intra-African trade and the financing possibilities to facilitate trade in Africa. “
