By Ifeoma Ikem
The Managing Director of Afretrade, Mr. Jubril Gbajabiamila, has called on talented individuals across Nigeria and Africa to join Afretrade, a digital platform designed to connect skilled professionals with clients and businesses across the world.
Gbajabiamila made the call while exhibiting at the Africast 2025 Conference held in Lagos, where he emphasized the need for Africa’s skilled workforce to take advantage of global opportunities in the digital economy.
He explained that the platform was created to bridge the gap between local talent and international demand for services such as digital marketing, software development, and artificial intelligence (AI).
According to him, Afretrade was developed and built in Nigeria through collaboration with a partner based in the United States, with the vision of creating what he described as “a Microsoft in Nigeria.”
“It is a platform actually built in Nigeria by Nigerians for the world to see how talented we are,” he said. “When you see the three Ts — Trade, Talent, and Training — they define what Afretrade stands for.”
Gbajabiamila explained that the first ‘T’, Trade, represents buying and selling, while Talent stands for the creativity and expertise of Nigerians who have a lot to offer the global market.
He noted that despite the abundance of skilled professionals in Nigeria, many have not had a global platform to showcase their abilities, unlike countries such as India and other Southeast Asian nations, whose professionals dominate the outsourcing market.
“For instance, many companies in America and Europe outsource their service centers to India. Nigeria also has talented people, but most of our service centers remain localized,” he said.
The Afretrade platform, according to him, was designed to expand access and visibility for Nigerian professionals by creating a verified, trusted, and global network for service providers and clients.
He explained that users can register on the platform, create a profile, and undergo verification through BVN, National ID, and certification checks to ensure authenticity and trustworthiness.
“The truth is, talent alone is not enough to grow,” he noted. “You need visibility, trust, and connection to find new clients locally and globally. Afretrade provides that bridge.”
Gbajabiamila added that manufacturers, producers, artisans, and skilled workers can also use the platform to showcase their products and services to both local and international markets.
He revealed that Afretrade currently operates teams in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, while also hosting programs and exhibitions in different countries to promote African talent.
The Afretrade boss further disclosed that the platform also provides training and certification opportunities for professionals seeking to upgrade their skills.
“For example, if you want to become a UI/UX designer or a Unix developer, Afretrade offers onboarding and training to help you gain those skills and get certified,” he explained.
Gbajabiamila also highlighted the platform’s usefulness for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking to connect with trusted professionals or businesses in Nigeria, such as accountants or legal consultants, through verified engagements.
