Sparks Fly at Stellenbosch Alumni Masterclass as Experts Chart Path for Boosting Intra-African Trade
Abuja & Lagos, Nigeria – July 26, 2025 – The air crackled with ideas and urgency as the Stellenbosch Business School (SBS) West Africa Alumni Association concluded its highly successful dual-city Masterclass series last week. Held on July 15th at the DEPOWA Complex in Abuja and July 16th at the Lagos Continental Hotel, the events united industry leaders, experts, and alumni under the critical theme: “Boosting Intra-African Trade and Investment: Priorities and Levers for Action.”
Against the backdrop of the ambitious African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Masterclasses served as a powerful platform for dissecting the challenges and unlocking the immense potential of trade and investment flows within the continent. The discussions were spearheaded by renowned academics and seasoned practitioners, leaving attendees with actionable insights and a renewed sense of purpose.
Abuja Sets the Stage: The Imperative of the “Big Push”
The Abuja event kicked off with a compelling presentation by Prof. Charles Adjasi, Professor of Development Finance and Economics at Stellenbosch University. Prof. Adjasi delivered a passionate call to action, arguing forcefully for a “big push” strategy. He emphasized that for sustainable development, African nations must significantly increase the proportion of their trade and investment activities conducted within the continent itself. Moving away from historical dependencies on external markets, he stressed, is not just desirable but essential for building resilient and integrated African economies.
The digital frontier, a crucial lever for modern trade, was expertly addressed by Dr. Oluseye Ajuwon, Associate Professor of Economics and Acting Dean at the African School of Economics, Nigeria. While acknowledging the revolutionary impact digital technology has had globally over the past four decades, Dr. Ajuwon highlighted Africa’s concerning lag. He passionately outlined the critical need for accelerated digital infrastructure development, digital literacy, and supportive policies to ensure Africa isn’t left behind in the digital trade revolution, which is fundamental to boosting intra-African commerce.
Adding a vital perspective on the human element, Dr. Chidi (Deputy Director, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry) underscored the indispensable role of human capital and skills development. He articulated how investing in Africa’s people – through quality education, relevant skills training, and capacity building – is the bedrock upon which societal development, growth, and ultimately, successful trade and investment initiatives are built. Competitive economies require a skilled and adaptable workforce.
Lagos Deepens the Dialogue: AfCFTA and Collaborative Action
The momentum carried seamlessly to Lagos the following day. Once again, Prof. Charles Adjasi, the lead panelist anchored the discussions, reinforcing the themes of intra-African focus and the need for strategic investment. He was joined by Mr. Ayodeji Onigbogi, Vice Chairperson of the SBS West Africa Chapter.
A highlight of the Lagos session was the passionate contribution by Mr. Ayodeji Olatunji (Head: Beyond Budget, Pernod Ricard Nigeria). Mr. Olatunji delved into the specifics of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), ratified by the majority of African nations. He championed the AfCFTA as the primary vehicle designed to dismantle trade barriers and significantly boost intra-African trade and investment, while also discussing practical steps businesses can take to leverage this historic agreement.
Bringing the impactful two-day series to a resonant close was Dr. Isa Omagu (Chief Strategy and Compliance Officer, Bank of Industry; Pioneer Chairperson, SBS West Africa Alumni Chapter). Dr. Omagu delivered a stirring vote of thanks, commending the speakers, organizers, and attendees. Crucially, he issued a powerful charge: a call for more inclusive collaboration and active participation from all stakeholders in future alumni initiatives and, more broadly, in the collective effort to realize the vision of a truly integrated and prosperous African trading bloc.
The Abuja and Lagos sessions were expertly coordinated and moderated by Dr. Olusiji Aina, the dedicated Chapter Chairperson of the SBS West Africa Alumni Association, with crucial technical and administrative support provided by Mrs. Lizelle Kannemeyer representing Stellenbosch University’s Alumni Coordination office.
Well-Attended, High-Impact
Both Masterclass events attracted a diverse and influential audience, including industry professionals, business leaders, policymakers, and experts spanning key sectors of the Nigerian economy. The high level of engagement and the quality of discourse underscored the timeliness and importance of the theme.
The Stellenbosch Legacy in Action
The SBS West Africa Alumni Association, through these masterclasses, has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering thought leadership and facilitating crucial conversations that drive economic progress in the region. By bringing together world-class expertise from Stellenbosch University and prominent local voices, the association provided a vital forum for dissecting the priorities and identifying the actionable levers needed to unlock the transformative potential of intra-African trade and investment. The call from Abuja and Lagos is clear: collaboration, digital acceleration, human capital investment, and a relentless focus on Africa-for-Africa trade are the non-negotiable keys to the continent’s economic future.
