The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its African Centre for Advanced Training in Trade (AFRACAD), has commenced the 2026 edition of the Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA) at the American University in Cairo, bringing together two cohorts of trade finance professionals from across Global Africa.
The programme, delivered in partnership with the American University in Cairo, is designed to equip participants with the technical expertise, practical skills and Africa-focused perspective required to strengthen trade finance, promote regional integration and support the continent’s industrialisation agenda.
Originally launched as the Certificate of Finance in International Trade (COFIT), the programme has evolved into the Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA), reflecting Afreximbank’s commitment to developing world-class trade finance professionals through African institutions, African case studies and African-led solutions.
According to the organisers, the 2026 edition marks a significant milestone, with two parallel cohorts being delivered for the first time in response to growing demand for the programme across the continent.
The expansion highlights COTFIA’s increasing relevance and impact in developing the capacity required to support Africa’s growing trade and investment ecosystem.
The programme’s success has also received international recognition, earning the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Excellence in Practice (EiP) Silver Award, an acknowledgment of the quality and global competitiveness of Africa-designed learning solutions.
Afreximbank said the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening human capital development through AFRACAD by investing in the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to drive intra-African trade and sustainable economic transformation across Global Africa.