The Africa Trade Academy (ATA) has celebrated its first two graduates to earn the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®) designation. Angela Abordo, a Trade Finance Officer at Agricultural Development Bank Plc, and Abena Anyen, a Senior Business Support Analyst at Oakwood Green Advisory, are the first to achieve this milestone through the FITTskills program delivered by ATA.
The FITTskills program, a partnership between ATA and the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), aims to strengthen professional trade capability in Africa by providing internationally recognized trade training. This achievement marks an important step in making this training accessible to professionals shaping the continent’s trade environment.
A partnership focused on professionalizing trade
The collaboration between ATA and FITT was established to expand access to practical international trade education. ATA Founder and President Dode Seidu highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating that the attainment of the CITP designation by Angela and Abena demonstrates its potential impact.
Since 2025, ATA has supported 28 individuals in completing the FITTskills program and earning the FITT Diploma in International Trade. This diploma fulfills the educational requirement for professionals pursuing the CITP designation through Pathway 1.
The partnership expands access to international trade training and creates a pathway for more African professionals to work toward internationally recognized credentials. Caroline Tompkins, CITP, President & CEO of FITT, emphasized the importance of understanding the full trade system, stating that it enables professionals to identify risks earlier and make sounder decisions.
Angela Abordo: seeing the impact behind the transaction
Angela’s career in international trade began in banking, where she gained firsthand experience in trade finance. She shared a story of supporting a mid-sized cocoa exporter struggling with cash-flow constraints. Her team’s structured financing solution helped the exporter become a consistent supplier to Europe, highlighting the impact of trade finance beyond transactions.
With over a decade of experience, Angela has solved complex trade problems, including resolving discrepancies under a letter of credit for an agricultural commodities shipment. Her FITTskills studies broadened her expertise, and earning the CITP designation has enhanced her confidence and professional self-image.
The Global Value Chain course was a favorite, allowing her to explore an area of interest in depth. Angela sees the CITP designation as a way to strengthen her credibility and open doors to broader opportunities in international trade.
Abena’s journey into international trade began during her mandatory national service, where she processed international payments and handled shipping documents. This early exposure sparked her interest in the systems and decisions behind cross-border business.
Today, Abena assists businesses with digital trade platforms, KYC requirements, and trade-finance readiness. She is motivated by helping African SMEs transition from informal trading to structured, compliant operations. Her work on a digital trade platform pilot taught her that trade transformation relies on trust, education, and demonstrating practical value.
The FITTskills program helped Abena connect her practical experiences into a complete understanding of the international trade lifecycle. The International Market Entry Strategies course, with its focus on intercultural competence, was particularly influential.
Earning the CITP designation marked an important step in Abena’s career, recognizing her expertise and encouraging continued learning. She hopes to contribute to the growth of intra-African trade by improving businesses’ access to financing and markets.
Transforming Trade Through Practical Solutions
Angela’s work in trade finance has shown her that it goes beyond processing documents. Her team arranged pre-export financing and a confirmed letter of credit, enabling the exporter to ship consistently to Europe. Years later, the exporter still views this as a turning point in their business.
Her experience spans over a decade, solving complex trade issues. In one case, she resolved discrepancies under a letter of credit for an agricultural shipment, using her knowledge of UCP 600 and coordination with involved parties to secure payment. These experiences reinforce her belief that trade finance can drive growth and economic development.
She sees her CITP designation as a milestone that encourages ongoing learning and contribution to the field.
Building a Stronger Trade Environment
The partnership between ATA and FITT focuses on developing professionals who can manage complex international trade. This collaboration equips individuals with practical knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions and manage risks effectively.
A Growing Pipeline of Skilled Professionals
With 28 graduates since 2025, the partnership is on track to produce a new generation of trade professionals, equipped with the skills and credentials needed to thrive globally.
