Africa’s ambition to reshape its role in global commerce received a boost this week as the Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) announced registration for its 2026 Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA), a flagship programme aimed at developing the next generation of trade finance leaders on the continent.
Designed for banking professionals and trade practitioners, COTFIA aims to strengthen Africa’s trade capacity by addressing critical skills gaps and equipping participants with the expertise needed to navigate complex international markets.
Registration is open until 31 May 2026, offering early applicants a chance at scholarships covering 50% of tuition fees for the first seven registrants.
The programme, which has trained over 150 professionals since its inception in 2016, was relaunched in 2021 in partnership with the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at the American University in Cairo to enhance its academic rigor and regional relevance. For 2026, the blended learning model combines five instructor-led virtual modules, a face-to-face module at AUC’s New Cairo campus and a final asynchronous online module, reflecting AFRACAD’s commitment to flexible, high-quality professional development.
COTFIA has been widely recognised for its impact. In October 2025, it earned the Silver Award in the Professional Development category at the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Excellence in Practice Awards in Stockholm, Sweden, an accolade that underscores the programme’s effectiveness in equipping African professionals with the skills to drive trade and business growth.
“COTFIA is strategically important for building a new generation of highly skilled trade finance professionals capable of advancing Africa’s trade agenda and strengthening the continent’s competitiveness globally,” said Stephen Kauma, Managing Director, Human Resources, Afreximbank.
He urged African banking professionals and practitioners to seize the opportunity to gain critical insights into trade finance operations and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is expected to transform intra-African commerce.
The programme is developed in collaboration with international partners including Factors Chain International American University in Cairo (AUC), and Quarter Bank, ensuring that participants gain exposure to global best practices alongside region-specific insights.
By equipping African professionals with technical, regulatory, and practical competencies, COTFIA reinforces the continent’s entrepreneurship and trade ecosystem. Graduates are positioned not only to lead banking and finance initiatives but also to unlock intra-African and global trade opportunities, a critical step as Africa seeks to increase its share of global trade flows.
For emerging African entrepreneurs and trade finance practitioners, this represents a gateway to strategic influence in shaping the continent’s commercial future.
“This is an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s trade infrastructure and empower individuals who will drive the continent’s economic transformation,” Kauma said.
Registrations for the 2026 cohort can be completed online at:
🔗 https://fci.nl/en/event/certificate-trade-finance-africa-cotfia-2026?language_content_entity=en
