Top financial leaders from across Africa and beyond convened in London last week, where Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director and CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank (RCBank) Sierra Leone Ltd, made a compelling call for greater value addition within African export sectors.
Dr. Gilpin was among a distinguished lineup of finance and fintech operators, industry leaders, regulators, policymakers, and academics attending the 2025 London International Banking and Finance Conference, organized by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) from April 24 to 26 2025.
Held under the theme “Enhancing Forex Liquidity Through Export Diversification: The Role of the Banking Sector,” the three-day conference featured high-level discussions, breakout sessions, and specialized training programs on topics including efficient export financing, corporate governance, artificial intelligence in financial services, and managing digital risks in banking.
Prominent speakers at the event included:
- Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, MD/CEO, Rokel Commercial Bank (Sierra Leone) Ltd
- Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
- Dr. Ken Opara, Immediate Past President of CIBN and Executive Director, Fidelity Bank Plc
- Mr. Babatunde Olofin, MD/CEO, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Ltd
- Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, MD/CEO, Premium Trust Bank
- Mr. Musa Haruna, MD/CEO, Jaiz Bank Plc
- Mr. Abiodun Fashagba, MD/Head of Client Management for Middle East, Pakistan & Africa, Standard Chartered Bank DIFC
- Mr. Olukorede Adenowo, Chief Executive, FBN UK
- Mr. Udu Ovbiagde, MD/CEO, Zenith Bank UK
The conference also hosted a Bank CEO’s Roundtable, where senior executives discussed emerging trends, strategic innovations, and the evolving future of international banking.
In a pivotal session titled “The Role of Banking in Financing Export-Oriented Industries,” which Dr. Gilpin moderated, he emphasized the substantial gap between the demand for and supply of export financing globally a gap that remains especially pronounced across Africa.
“There is a clear need for more robust export financing mechanisms,” Dr. Gilpin asserted. He pinpointed four critical areas in need of urgent reform: payments, risk mitigation, information asymmetry, and financing access.
“As bankers, we must move beyond merely providing funding we must develop a deeper understanding of the ecosystems in which our funds operate,” he stressed.
Dr. Gilpin also underscored the persistent challenges of global protectionism, noting that tariffs and non-tariff barriers continue to impose significant costs on African exporters. Many African businesses, he noted, face hurdles such as the inability to borrow and repay in local currencies, coupled with additional expenses stemming from trade restrictions.
Advocating for stronger intra-African collaboration, Dr. Gilpin urged countries to focus on increasing value addition within their export industries rather than simply supplying raw materials. He called for an expansion of South-South cooperation to demystify and de-risk African products, greater investment in artificial intelligence and digital platforms, and a strategic emphasis on maximizing the continent’s rich natural and agricultural resources.
“African nations must move higher up the global value chain to realize greater economic benefits and strengthen their positions in international trade,” Dr. Gilpin said.
According to a CIBN statement, the bi-annual London Conference serves as a leading “knowledge-sharing, thought-leadership, and solution-driven platform,” providing valuable insights on critical issues shaping the global financial landscape.
The event reaffirmed the importance of forums like CIBN’s London Conference in fostering dialogue, innovation, and strategies that enhance Africa’s role in the global economy.
