By: Aruna Dumbuya
Top financial leaders united in London as Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director and CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank (Sierra Leone) Ltd, called for greater value addition from African countries. Dr. Gilpin joined finance and fintech operators, industry leaders, regulators, policymakers, and academics at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria’s (CIBN) 2025 London International Banking and Finance Conference, held from April 24 to 26.
Themed “Enhancing Forex Liquidity Through Export Diversification: The Role of the Banking Sector,” the three-day conference featured sessions and training programs on efficient export financing, corporate governance, artificial intelligence in financial services, and navigating digital risks and opportunities in banking.
Key speakers included:
Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, MD/CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank (Sierra Leone) Ltd.
Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, HCIB, Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)
Dr. Ken Opara, Ph.D., FCIB, Immediate Past President of CIBN and Executive Director, Fidelity Bank Plc
Mr. Babatunde Olofin, MD/CEO, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Ltd.
Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, CON, FCIB, MD/CEO, Premium Trust Bank
Mr. Musa Haruna, HCIB, MD/CEO, Jaiz Bank Plc
Mr. Abiodun Fashagba, HCIB, MD/Head of Client Management for Middle East, Pakistan & Africa, Standard Chartered Bank DIFC
Mr. Olukorede Adenowo, FCIB, Chief Executive, FBN UK
Mr. Udu Ovbiagde, MD/CEO, Zenith Bank UK
The conference also featured a Bank CEO’s Roundtable, facilitating high-level discussions on emerging trends and strategies in the banking sector.
According to a statement from CIBN, the biannual conference serves as a “knowledge-sharing, thought-leadership, and solution-based forum, providing a platform for industry practitioners and thought leaders to share experiences, exchange ideas, and proffer pragmatic insights on contemporary issues affecting the sector and the broader economy.”
In a key session titled “The Role of Banking in Financing Export-Oriented Industries,” which Dr. Gilpin moderated, he emphasized the significant gap between the demand for and supply of export financing on the global stage — a gap that remains particularly wide in Africa.
“There is a clear need for more robust export financing mechanisms,” Dr. Gilpin noted. He identified payments, risk mitigation, information gaps, and financing as four critical areas requiring urgent attention.
“As bankers, we must move beyond merely providing funding — we must deeply understand the ecosystems in which our funds operate,” Dr. Gilpin stated.
He also highlighted the ongoing presence of global protectionism, manifesting through tariffs and non-tariff barriers, which often add additional costs for exporters. Dr. Gilpin pointed out that African exporters frequently face challenges such as being unable to borrow and repay in their local currencies and bearing extra costs due to these barriers.
Dr. Gilpin strongly advocated for African countries to focus on greater value addition within their export sectors, stressing that too many African nations currently occupy the lower rungs of global value chains, limiting their ability to reap substantial returns from exports.
He further urged the deepening of South-South cooperation to demystify and de-risk African products. In addition, he called for strengthening artificial intelligence and digital platforms, maximizing the use of Africa’s abundant raw materials and arable land, and moving higher up the global value chain.
The CIBN London Conference remains one of the largest and most prestigious gatherings of banking professionals both in the United Kingdom and globally, solidifying its reputation as a crucial platform for shaping the future of international banking. RCBank—The Bank of Choice!!!!
