Afreximbank Academy’s COTFIA Programme Wins EFMD Excellence in Practice Silver Award, Across Africa

The Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) has been honoured with the Silver Award in the Professional Development category at the 2025 European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Excellence in Practice (EiP) Awards, recognising outstanding learning and development partnerships that drive executive, professional, and organizational growth.

Presented in Stockholm, Sweden, earlier this month, the award celebrates AFRACAD’s Certificate of Trade Finance in Africa (COTFIA) programme, a flagship initiative that has advanced trade finance expertise and professional excellence across the continent for nearly a decade. The programme is implemented in collaboration with FCI and the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at the American University in Cairo (AUC).

Launched in 2016 under the original name Certificate of Finance in International Trade (COFIT), the initiative was developed under the leadership of Afreximbank’s Factoring Working Group (FWG), chaired by Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra African Trade and Export Development. In partnership with FCI, the University of Malta, and Quarterback, COTFIA equips African trade professionals with technical, regulatory, and practical skills essential to strengthening the continent’s trade finance ecosystem.

Commenting on the recognition, Stephen Tio Kauma, Group Managing Director of Human Resources at Afreximbank, said, “This award underscores Afreximbank’s commitment to nurturing trade finance expertise across Africa. Participating in the EFMD Conference allowed us to showcase AFRACAD’s impact and amplify the Bank’s strategic vision on a global stage.”

Dr. Anan Shendy of AFRACAD presented the award winning case study, “Transcending Borders: A Pan African Partnership to Support Trade Professionals”, alongside representatives from AUC and FCI, highlighting the programme’s success in building Africa’s trade finance capacity.

Since partnering with the Onsi Sawiris School of Business in 2021, AFRACAD has strengthened COTFIA’s academic rigour and regional relevance. To date, the programme has trained over 150 professionals across Africa, helping to unlock new opportunities for intra African and global trade.

With 950+ member institutions in over 90 countries, EFMD is the largest global network for management development. The Excellence in Practice (EiP) Awards have, over 18 years, set the standard for impactful learning collaborations, positioning recipients among the world’s leading innovators in executive education.