Providus Bank has unveiled the Training to Transaction (T2T) Programme, a forward-thinking initiative set to move African SMEs from export ambition to real global trade activity. It was launched in collaboration with international partners focusing on a persistent challenge: the gap between training and actual business execution.
Rather than leaving participants at the learning stage, T2T is built to deliver results; combining practical skills development, regulatory guidance, and direct entry points into global markets. It’s a shift from preparation to performance, empowering businesses to turn knowledge into measurable trade success.
Speaking at the unveiling, Dr. Biodun Ariyo, Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance at Providus Bank, highlighted the growing influence of financial institutions in shaping trade across the region. He noted that banks are increasingly working with regional bodies to expand access to trade finance and simplify cross-border transactions, creating stronger opportunities for African businesses to compete internationally.
Echoing the sentiment, Ernest Elue, Head of Strategy & Innovation at Providus Bank, emphasized that meaningful economic progress is not achieved by preparation alone, but by equipping businesses with the tools and support they need to perform and succeed in real-world markets.
The programme equips businesses with hands-on support to move from export readiness to actual deal execution, while offering clear guidance on global regulatory and compliance standards. It also creates defined entry routes into major markets across Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The T2T Programme focuses on high-growth industries with strong export potential, including agro and agro-processing, cosmetics, beverages, garment making and textiles, as well as leather and tanning. More than just a programme, it reflects Providus Bank’s broader vision to drive trade-led economic growth by enabling local businesses to expand beyond domestic boundaries and compete on the global stage. It also reinforces the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting enterprise development, facilitating cross-border trade, and fostering long-term economic sustainability.
