Providus Bank Launches T2T Programme Boosting SMEs Global Trade

Providus Bank has launched the Training to Transaction (T2T) Programme, an initiative aimed at supporting African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transition from export readiness to active participation in international trade.

The bank said the programme is being implemented in partnership with Borderless Trade and Investment, Duchess NL, and the Global African Business Association, under the ECOWAS Parliament at 25 Programme.

According to the bank, the initiative is designed to address the gap between export training and actual transaction execution by providing SMEs with practical capacity building, compliance support, and access to international markets.

Speaking at the launch, Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance at Providus Bank, Biodun Ariyo, said financial institutions have a key role in driving regional trade growth through partnerships that expand trade financing and facilitate cross-border transactions.

Also speaking, Head of Strategy and Innovation at the bank, Ernest Elue, said the programme is focused on enabling businesses to move beyond preparation into measurable trade performance.

The T2T Programme will provide participating SMEs with export readiness support, guidance on international regulatory and compliance requirements, and structured access to markets across Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The bank stated that the initiative targets high-growth sectors including agro-processing, cosmetics, beverages, garments and textiles, as well as leather and tanning.

Providus Bank said the programme aligns with its strategy to promote trade-led economic growth by supporting indigenous businesses to scale beyond domestic markets and integrate into global value chains.