Afreximbank and FCI launch Africa trade finance summit as funding gap widens

Afreximbank and FCI have launched a major trade finance conference in Kampala, bringing together banks, insurers and policymakers to address Africa’s widening trade finance gap.

The event, which opens on 15 April, focuses on scaling receivables finance, factoring and credit insurance as critical tools to support SME liquidity and intra-African trade.

Under the theme of moving “beyond traditional lending”, participants are expected to explore how alternative financing structures can unlock working capital across the continent.

Industry leaders have highlighted the growing importance of receivables finance, particularly as SMEs face persistent challenges accessing traditional bank funding.

The summit reflects a broader shift toward structured and non-bank solutions, as Africa looks to strengthen trade flows under the AfCFTA framework.