First Africans Gain Certified International Trade Credential
Africa Trade Academy has reached a significant milestone in its efforts to raise trade expertise across Africa, as two professionals became the first from the continent to earn the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®) credential through its collaboration with the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). Angela Abordo, a Trade Finance Officer at Agricultural Development Bank Plc, and Abena Anyen, a Senior Business Support Analyst at Oakwood Green Advisory, have completed the program and secured the qualification.
The accomplishment highlights a broader initiative to make globally recognized trade training more attainable for professionals influencing Africa’s trade environment. Angela and Abena are applying their expertise where strong trade capability has a direct effect: businesses’ ability to access markets, manage risk and pursue opportunity. Their achievement demonstrates the value of pairing practical experience with a rigorous, internationally recognized body of knowledge.
A partnership focused on professionalizing trade in Africa, ATA and FITT’s collaboration was established with a clear goal: to expand access to practical international trade education and help develop professionals equipped to work through the increasingly complex realities of cross-border business. Since its launch in 2025, ATA has already supported 28 individuals in completing the training program and achieving the FITT Diploma in International Trade in Ghana and Nigeria. The diploma serves as a prerequisite for the CITP designation under Pathway 1, fulfilling the educational requirement for professionals with relevant experience.
For Dode Seidu, founder and president of ATA, this achievement validates the partnership’s early potential. “The attainment of the CITP by these two speaks of the power of the partnership between Africa Trade Academy and Forum for International Trade Training (FITT),” he said.
How the CITP® Transforms Trade Decision-Making
The program’s emphasis on practical application distinguishes it from other trade education initiatives. International trade knowledge is not simply about understanding individual processes or transactions. It’s about bringing them all together to see how market research, finance, logistics, risk, compliance, sales, market entry, and other decisions connect. “When professionals understand how the full trade system connects, they can identify risks earlier, ask better questions and help businesses make sounder decisions,” says Caroline Tompkins, CITP, President & CEO of FITT. “That capability travels with them throughout their careers, and its value grows as they apply it with clients, colleagues, and businesses in their communities.”
For Angela Abordo, the CITP designation follows a decade in trade finance, during which she witnessed how structured trade knowledge can transform businesses. One notable example involved a mid-sized cocoa exporter facing cash-flow challenges. By arranging pre-export financing alongside a confirmed letter of credit, her team enabled the exporter to transition from inconsistent shipments to becoming a reliable supplier for European markets—a development the business still credits years later.
Her work frequently involves resolving detailed trade issues, such as discrepancies under letters of credit. In one instance, she applied her expertise in UCP 600 and coordinated with all involved parties to secure payment for an agricultural commodities shipment. The FITTskills program enhanced her understanding, particularly in areas like global value chains, which she had long sought to explore more deeply.
Angela Abordo’s Real-World Trade Finance Wins
The designation has strengthened her professional standing. “Earning the CITP has significantly enhanced my confidence and professional self-image,” she said. Angela sees the designation strengthening her credibility and expertise while opening doors to broader opportunities, strategic collaborations, and future leadership roles in international trade.
Abena Anyen’s journey into trade began during her national service, where she processed international payments and managed shipping documents for a bank in Accra. Over time, her focus shifted from individual transactions to helping African businesses prepare for formal trade. Currently at Oakwood Green Advisory, she assists small and medium-sized enterprises in handling digital trade platforms, compliance requirements, and market entry strategies.
One recent challenge involved introducing a digital trade platform to businesses accustomed to older systems. The project revealed that successful trade transformation depends on more than technology—it requires building trust, providing education, and demonstrating practical benefits. “Many businesses have the potential to trade across borders but require support to transition from informal trading arrangements into structured, compliant and finance-ready operations,” she noted.
Abena Anyen’s Shift From Payments to Digital Trade
The FITTskills courses helped her integrate her practical experience with a broader framework of international trade. The CITP designation now serves as both recognition of her career and a foundation for future contributions to Africa’s trade sector.
The achievements of Angela and Abena reflect a broader trend: increasing demand for structured trade education among African professionals. Since 2025, ATA’s FITTskills programs in Ghana and Nigeria have enrolled individuals from diverse sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and financial services. The diploma program has attracted candidates with five to 15 years of experience, indicating a strong need for advanced training among those already active in trade operations.
