ProvidusUnity Bank has pledged to provide trade finance solutions to help Nigerian exporters overcome operational challenges, access international markets and expand their businesses, as the lender seeks to support growth in the country’s non-oil export sector.

The bank made the commitment at the fifth edition of its Non-Oil Export Business Forum in Kano, which brought together more than 200 exporters, industry associations, and government institutions to discuss export competitiveness, trade facilitation, and opportunities for Nigerian businesses in international markets.

Speaking at the event, ProvidusBank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Walter Akpani said the non-oil export sector offers opportunities to diversify the economy, strengthen foreign exchange earnings, and support business growth.

Speaking on behalf of the bank’s Treasurer, Enyinnaya Akagha, he said realising the sector’s potential requires stronger collaboration across the export value chain and financial solutions that meet exporters’ operational needs.

“As a Future Forward bank, ProvidusUnity Bank is committed to providing responsive, seamless and innovative trade solutions that help businesses overcome operational challenges, access new markets and scale internationally,” Akpani said.

He added that the bank would work with exporters, industry associations, and regulators to help build a more competitive and resilient export sector.

The forum comes as Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings continue to grow. According to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the country generated a record $6.1 billion in non-oil export receipts in 2025, up 11.5 per cent from 2024.

Export volumes rose to 8.02 million metric tonnes, with 281 non-oil products reaching 120 countries.

However, the sector still faces challenges in local processing, access to trade finance, compliance with international standards and market expansion.

Group Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance at ProvidusBank, Dr Abiodun Ariyo, explained that exporters needed more than access to international markets to compete effectively, stressing the importance of financing, efficient trade processes and regulatory clarity.

“Building a competitive non-oil export sector requires more than access to international markets. Exporters need appropriate financing, efficient trade processes, regulatory clarity and the capacity to meet global standards,” Ariyo said.

He said the forum, organised by his team, was designed to connect exporters with the knowledge, partnerships and support needed to compete in global markets.

Participants discussed trade finance, regulatory compliance, trade facilitation and international market requirements, with particular attention to opportunities across northern Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial value chains.