Afretrade, a new digital platform created to link African talent and enterprises with international opportunities, has officially made its debut in Lagos, drawing strong interest from investors, innovators and global partners who see it as a significant boost to the continent’s digital trade landscape.
The platform was unveiled on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at the Muson Centre, Onikan, where entrepreneurs, policymakers, and representatives from Africa, Europe and North America gathered to witness what was widely described as a forward leap for Africa’s participation in global commerce.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lekan Salaam, opened the event with a compelling account of the vision behind Afretrade, describing it as a strategic response to the gaps limiting Africa’s competitiveness. He noted that the platform was built around three central pillars — talent, trade and training — which he said are critical to reshaping Africa’s economic trajectory.
Afretrade’s Chief Product Officer and Partner, Jubril Gbajabiamila, highlighted the platform’s design as a safe and seamless digital environment where African professionals and service providers can secure global jobs, commercial partnerships and wider market access without traditional barriers.
One of the event’s key speakers, Prince Afolabi Andu, Chief Executive of Africa Global Investment, described the African continent as “the next frontier for global trade,” pointing to its large youthful population and natural market strengths as major assets.
Principal Financial Advisor for Afretrade, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, underscored the importance of financial literacy and long-term planning, stressing that these tools are necessary for African businesses to sustain growth in an increasingly competitive international market. Afretrade’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Charly Lemassi, added that the platform will play a crucial role in connecting African users to trusted global trade and capacity-building programmes.
A major highlight of the launch was a panel session moderated by the Managing Director/CEO of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), Ms Evelyn Dan Epelle. The session, themed “From Brain Drain to Brain Circulation,” examined how Africa can tap into the $500 billion global outsourcing economy by strengthening digital skills, improving infrastructure and leveraging platforms like Afretrade that serve as bridges to international clients.
Participants described the discussion as both timely and practical, noting its relevance to the continent’s economic future.
The formal unveiling of the Afretrade platform attracted enthusiastic endorsements from strategic partners in the United Kingdom, Canada and Nigeria, who pledged support for its long-term mission.
The event closed with networking sessions, business presentations and collaborative engagements, reflecting the platform’s immediate impact in fostering cross-border connections.
With its commitment to skills development, collaboration and digital trade, Afretrade is positioning itself not just as a marketplace, but as a catalyst for Africa’s next phase of economic growth and global integration.
