Angela Abordo and Abena Anyen have become Africa’s first Certified International Trade Professionals (CITP) after completing a program delivered by the Africa Trade Academy (ATA) in partnership with the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT). Abordo, a Trade Finance Officer at Agricultural Development Bank Plc, and Anyen, a Senior Business Support Analyst at Oakwood Green Advisory, graduated as the first recipients of the FITTskills certification through ATA’s initiative. This achievement marks a significant step for both individuals and the organizations involved, validating their existing expertise while demonstrating the effectiveness of tailored trade training in Africa.
The program’s focus on practical application aligns with the needs of professionals actively shaping the continent’s trade environment. Caroline Tompkins, President and CEO of FITT, noted that Abordo and Anyen’s work directly impacts businesses’ ability to access markets, manage risks, and pursue opportunities.
The ATA-FITT partnership addresses a critical gap in accessible, high-quality trade education across Africa. Since its launch in 2025, ATA has helped 28 professionals from Ghana and Nigeria complete the FITT Diploma in International Trade, which serves as the educational foundation for the CITP designation under Pathway 1. The diploma alone meets the credential’s educational requirements, provided candidates also demonstrate relevant professional experience.
Practical Skills Transform Trade Professionals
Dode Seidu, founder of ATA, described the first CITP graduates as proof that the collaboration delivers on its core objectives. The program ensures participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills applicable to their roles. For FITT, this means moving beyond basic trade skills to provide a complete understanding of how market research, finance, logistics, and compliance interact within the trade system.
Tompkins emphasized the broader impact of this integrated approach. Professionals who grasp how the trade system functions can identify risks earlier and offer better guidance to businesses. These skills remain valuable throughout their careers. She structured pre-export financing for a cocoa exporter facing cash-flow issues, transforming the supplier into a reliable European partner. This case shows how trade finance can drive business growth beyond mere transactions.
Her participation in the FITTskills program, particularly the Global Value Chain course, reinforced her expertise. “Through this program, I gained a deeper understanding of the subject and had many of my questions and areas of curiosity thoroughly addressed.” The Global Value Chain course was a particular favorite because it allowed her to explore an area she had long wanted to understand more deeply. Earning the CITP has now added another dimension to that development. “I feel truly privileged to have earned the CITP designation, and it has significantly enhanced my confidence and professional self-image.”
How Training Shapes Real-World Trade Solutions
Anyen’s background in trade began during her national service, where she handled international payments and shipping documents for a bank in Accra. Now at Oakwood Green Advisory, she assists African SMEs in preparing for compliant trade operations. She contributed to piloting a digital trade platform, discovering that successful adoption depends on trust and education as much as technology.
The FITTskills curriculum connected her practical experience with a broader framework, especially through the International Market Entry Strategies course. “The courses helped me connect the knowledge I had gained through my work experience and develop a more complete understanding of the international trade lifecycle.” The CITP credential validates her expertise while positioning her to make future contributions to African trade.
When combined with documented work experience, the diploma meets all criteria for the professional title.