Polaris Bank has taken steps to enhance support for Nigeria’s non-oil trade sector.
The bank gathered corporate customers and key stakeholders to actively address trade-related obstacles and collaboratively develop innovative solutions aimed at boosting business growth in international markets.
At its Global Trade Forum held on Tuesday inLagos with the theme “Trade Export: Partnering for Growth,” Polaris Bank’s managing director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, emphasised the bank’s role beyond financing by positioning itself as a catalyst for sustainable economic development.
He outlined that the forum was designed to identify and solve the real issues customers face in trade and export activities through tailored financial products and strategic advisory services.
According to him, the purpose of the gathering was to address the real issues customers encounter in trade and export while identifying opportunities where Polaris Bank can provide practical, innovative solutions to support growth.
He stressed that Polaris Bank sees itself not only as a financial institution but also as a trusted partner in progress and a driver of long-term value creation.
A major highlight was the participation of the Nigerian Customs Service delegation, led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Aondona Fanyama, who presented and demonstrated the Nigeria Trade Portal B’odogwu.
This platform simplifies trade processes by improving transparency, accelerating clearance, and increasing operational efficiency for exporters and importers. ACC Fanyama notably committed to swiftly resolving specific challenges faced by two exporters with the portal, showcasing the forum’s practical impact on real-time business problems.
The event convened top trade ecosystem stakeholders, including exporters, regulators, and policymakers, facilitating constructive dialogues on trade finance, export readiness, compliance, market access, and the growing role of digital platforms in cross-border trade facilitation.
Polaris Bank’s executive management, including top directors from Retail, Commercial, and Corporate & Investment Banking, and strategic leaders from several business units, effectively ensured a comprehensive representation to address client needs.
By hosting this forum, Polaris Bank reaffirmed its commitment as a forward-looking financial institution dedicated to supporting businesses, advancing economic diversification, and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in global trade. The bank’s intervention to resolve trade challenges and its advisory and financial solutions underlines its position as a trusted partner in fostering business growth and trade expansion beyond the oil sector.
Polaris Bank’s proactive engagement through the forum highlights its strategic focus on empowering non-oil exporters and positioning itself as a cornerstone in Nigeria’s evolving trade landscape. This initiative reinforces the bank’s dedication to delivering value and sustainable growth in the competitive global economy.
