Welcome to the Women in Trade Knowledge Hub
Explore the ideas, strategies, and partnerships shaping inclusive trade in Africa. Here you’ll find insights from our roundtables, newsletters, and community-driven discussions as we build a more representative trade finance ecosystem.
Featured Content
WIT Magazine: Trade Archive
“Connection, visibility, and opportunity are essential to building a more inclusive, resilient, and impactful industry.”
— Mwaya Siwale
Trade Archive is Women in Trade’s inaugural annual magazine, documenting the people, ideas and institutions shaping African trade and trade finance.
The inaugural issue features a foreword by Mwaya Siwale, Associate Executive, Trade Finance, TDB, and introduces The Trade List 2026. It also features conversations with:
Gwen Mwaba
Managing Director, Trade Finance & Correspondent Banking, Afreximbank
Mary Mulili
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, UBA Kenya
Nompilo Mtshali
Executive Head of Trade Product, Standard Bank Group
Sangeetha Ramkelawon
Chief Executive Officer, BCP Bank Mauritius
Kelechi Nwagboso
Trade & Supply Chain Finance, Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
The issue also brings together contributed perspectives from Hadijah Nakyeyune and Henvishka Jugun-Nawosah, alongside analysis of African trade finance in 2026, Nigerian trade through volatility, South Africa’s evolving trade ecosystem and the history of pioneering women bank CEOs across the continent.
WIT Roundtable:
South Africa as a gateway to Africa
In March 2026, Women in Trade convened a private roundtable in Cape Town, bringing together senior leaders from South African banks, DFIs, fintechs, and legal advisory firms.
The session, graciously hosted by Investec, explored how South Africa’s role as Africa’s trade gateway is evolving from a single entry point to a networked model of trade, and what it will take to close the region’s execution and SME financing gaps.
“Clients expect their banks to support them seamlessly across markets, with consistent pricing, product availability, and execution standards. Trade integration in Africa is happening from the top down, not the bottom up.” – Derryn Faure
Beverley Nicholson – Standard Bank, Michelle Armogon – Standard Bank, Michelle Knowles – Absa Group, Sheleena Govind – Rand Merchant Bank, Derryn Faure – Investec , Laurie Hammond – Dealflow, Ahanna Anaba – Finverity, Women In Trade, Shannon Manders – Global Trade Review
WIT Roundtable:
The Future of Trade in Nigeria
In April 2025, Women in Trade convened a private roundtable in Lagos, bringing together senior leaders from Nigerian banks, DFIs, fintechs, and trade institutions. The session explored how ecosystem banking, inclusive leadership, and the inclusion of women-owned SMEs in trade finance can unlock SME growth across Nigeria.
“Women are not waiting to be included. They are already building the future of trade. The real challenge is building the system to support this.”– Tolu Adekoya
Tolu Adekoya – Access Bank, Ayotunde Orimalade – Wema Bank, Kelechi Nwagboso – International Finance Corporation, Women In Trade, Ifeoma Abdul – Stanbic IBTC Bank, Onyinye Ilechie – FSDH Merchant Bank , Olachi Okeiyi – Globus Bank, Ahanna Anaba – Finverity, Women In Trade, Ugochi Obanau-Nwaukor – United Bank for Africa
Missed a previous edition of our newsletters? Browse our newsletter archive to catch up on key discussions, industry insights, and event highlights.
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As published on Fintech Bloom.
Why Inclusion Is a Commercial Advantage in Trade Finance
A Q&A with Ahanna Anaba on why practitioner-led, women-focused networks are not diversity initiatives, but strategic levers for better product design, faster adoption, and more resilient growth in trade finance and fintech.