Driving Non-Oil Exports: OY-ITC’s Strategy for African Business Growth

The Organisation of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC), an NGO, says it has trained more than 350 youths on E-commerce and supply chain management to meet international standards.

Dr Chinedu Amadi, President of the organisation, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Amadi said that the training was to build the capacity of the youths to meet international standards for goods and services.

“The organisation trains the youths through workshops, seminars, and business education, which focuses on export readiness in international trade regulations, with the presence of officers from the regulatory bodies.

“Also, the organisation had trained the youths on e-commerce and supply chain management, to prepare them to meet international standards for goods and services.

“The training which crossed the country was extended to other African countries such as Cameroon and Liberia,” he said.

Amadi said that the OY-ITC had supported the development and advancement of the youths in international trade and commerce by providing trading and networking opportunities.

He said the initiative has created a platform for beneficiaries to showcase and share with the world the creativity and productivity of their youth through trade.

“OY-ITC has a strong relationship with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) and other agencies that regulate export and production of non-oil products within the country and possible exportation,’’ he said.

According to him, the initiative helps in those areas to get products registered and guides the youth in the process.

“The OY-ITC offers several key benefits to young entrepreneurs, professionals, and stakeholders who are interested in global trade and commerce, especially within Nigeria and the African region.’’

Amadi said that the organisation had also supported many people, introducing them to international entrepreneurs.

He said that the OY-ITC had made it possible for the youths to have the privilege to showcase their products and services to international buyers and investors, as well as helping to make them expand their access to foreign markets and buyers.

“We are ready and committed to ensuring that our youths develop in several investment opportunities, as well as facilitating connections with local and foreign investors.

Amadi said that the organisation also ensured that the youths participated in its programme, which included, Houston Trade Show, the Cameroon trade show and exhibition, the Lagos trade show and exhibition, among others.

He further said that the group had helped the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) scale up through global partnerships.

He described the organisation as a social change initiative, aimed at bringing the non-oil export sector as a key economic contributor to the development of the African economy.

“Another focus of the OY-ITC, as an innovative vehicle, is to help arrest unemployment, youth restiveness, and women marginalisation in Nigeria and other African countries,’’ Amadi said. (NAN)