By Musa Ibrahim
The Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank was present at the 18th Annual Banking and Finance Conference which opened to some of the most powerful voices shaping Africa’s financial future.
The theme of sustainability hung thick, mirroring the United Nations’ global call for inclusive prosperity.
For NEXIM, this was not just another conference. It was an opportunity to advance its ‘Goodwill Message’ initiative – a homegrown program launched earlier in 2025 to anchor Nigeria’s export finance strategy within the broader framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The timing could not be more pressing. According to the UN’s 2023 SDG Progress Report, Nigeria has achieved only 14% progress toward the global targets, a stark reminder of how much remains undone in poverty eradication, job creation, and climate resilience.
Mr. Abubakar Abba Bello, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NEXIM, was represented by Mr. Umar Gubio, the bank’s Chief Risk Officer, who brought together senior executives from export finance, advisory services, and sustainability divisions for what would become a whirlwind of bilateral meetings, plenary contributions, and side sessions.
NEXIM Bank carried more than speeches into the conference. “In a world of interconnected risks,” Mr. Bello said, telling participants in a packed plenary, “NEXIM’s goodwill extends beyond borders – it is an invitation to co-create resilient value chains that lift communities and economies alike.” His remarks framed the bank as not merely a financier but a catalyst for economic transformation.
Beyond Rhetoric
NEXIM Bank had made it understandable that the ‘Goodwill Message’ initiative is not a ceremonial outreach. Rather, it functions as a strategic engagement tool – marrying the soft power of goodwill with the hard edges of export financing. Through curated addresses, bilateral declarations, and trust-building dialogues, NEXIM uses the platform to push for ethical trade, environmental responsibility, and inclusive prosperity.
In practice, that means tying financing to sustainability principles. For instance, the bank’s Produce, Add Value, and Export (PAVE) program allocates up to N1 billion per state to fund commodity-based exports. The goal is to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in rural areas, to tap into international markets. Similarly, NEXIM’s risk mitigation products – such as export credit insurance and guarantees – are designed not just to shield exporters from financial shocks but also to stabilize livelihoods and create jobs.
Mr. Bello placed particular emphasis on adapting risk tools to green exports, spanning sustainable agriculture to renewable energy components. In doing so, NEXIM seeks to tie Nigeria’s export drive directly to SDG 13 (Climate Action), ensuring that short-term gains do not undermine long-term survival.
Building Bridges Across Borders
One of the most striking features of NEXIM’s engagement at the conference was its outward-looking agenda. In a session on intra-African trade, the bank’s team engaged with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to explore co-financing projects under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These discussions were not in isolation; they built on Nigeria’s budding partnerships with countries such as Colombia, where goodwill missions earlier in the year had opened doors for agro-processing ventures.
Crucially, NEXIM insisted that every memorandum of understanding (MoU) include provisions on sustainability reporting and ESG compliance – a move that resonated strongly with international partners. “These are not just legal clauses,” one delegate commented, “they are the building blocks of long-term trust.”
A Platform for Practical Action
Beyond the plenary halls, NEXIM hosted side events under the Goodwill Message banner. Stakeholders from the private sector, civil society, and multilateral bodies – including the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) – participated in frank discussions about making sustainability more than a buzzword.
The sessions spotlighted real-world projects such as the N50 billion Green Export Facility, launched in 2024. Already, the facility is financing eco-friendly packaging for Nigeria’s cashew and cocoa exporters, reducing carbon emissions while simultaneously boosting farmer incomes. Representatives from the UN’s SDG office in Nigeria, who were in attendance, commended NEXIM for pairing finance with measurable outcomes – citing data that shows more than 500,000 jobs created in non-oil sectors since 2020 through the bank’s interventions.
Policy Advocacy and Tangible Outcomes
While deals and pledges dominated the corridors, NEXIM used the stage for advocacy. Mr. Bello called for streamlined customs procedures and greater budgetary allocations for export promotion, warning that without structural reforms, Nigeria’s SDG progress risked stagnation.
By the time the conference wrapped up, NEXIM could point to tangible results:
- Preliminary agreements with ICIEC on a joint insurance product for high-risk exports.
- Commitments from international financiers to co-fund SDG-linked infrastructure.
- Renewed internal momentum to scale the Goodwill Message initiative nationwide.
In a reflective debrief, NEXIM crystallized the delegation’s outlook: “As risk officers and enablers, we do not just mitigate threats; we architect futures. Aligning with the SDGs is not optional – it is the blueprint for Nigeria’s enduring prosperity.”
