The Science of Trade (SOT) Conference 2025 is not just back—it’s bigger, bolder, and primed to elevate your business prowess on a global scale. Registration opens from 7:00 a.m., so we encourage you to arrive early. Breakfast for participants will be served daily between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Don’t let traffic stop you from making the most of each day.

A few highlights 

Be One of 40 Selected for Our 2026 Global Trade Mission – At SOT 2024, 20 outstanding attendees were selected for a trade mission to the United States — a pioneer group now embarking on a unique strategic market entry journey. For 2026, our partners and we are expanding the opportunity to 40 exceptional entrepreneurs. We are seeking entrepreneurs with distinctive brands to empower for entry into new markets across Africa and globally – selection begins at the conference. 

SheVentures by FCMB: With Zero Interest loans, alternatives (like gold) for collateral and other loan options – Fifteen FCMB staff will be on-site facilitating loans, so come with all your credentials— the SheVentures team is ready to work with you to find the right solutions. bit.ly/FundingAtSOT2025 

Empower Your Enterprise with Shecluded Loans – Ladies running businesses with steady transaction flow can secure exceptional 3% interest loans by participating across all 3 days — Shecluded is here to empower women entrepreneurs with the financial leverage they need to bring their visions to life bit.ly/FundingAtSOT2025 

Connect with the U.S. Africa Trade Desk representing U.S. Buyers, She Phoebe Global, U.S. Consulate and NASSI for a trade workshop – Featuring the Acting U.S. Consul General, trade representatives from the United States, and representatives from NASSI. 

Sponsored Training Opportunity for your leadership staff and customer service reps – Enhance your team’s acumen with training programs already paid for, courtesy of collaborations by SOT and Kryptr!

Witness the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon with prizes ₦20 Million + ₦10 Million and Cloud Computing from Amazon Web Services – The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon is tackling some of Africa’s most pressing challenges in e-commerce facilitation, digital payments, logistics, and digital identity management. Watch leading tech teams compete to develop innovative solutions — with the winning group receiving ₦20 million, plus an additional ₦10 million from NITDA to build a regulatory sandbox for e-commerce and cloud computing, in partnership with Amazon Web Services to drive full product development. bit.ly/NigeriaAfCFTAHackathon2025 

Product review for U.S. Stores – Facilitated by Hon Hon Afishetu Braimoh.  Founder CEO Wotfoods. Africa Business Trade. SACFruits. Fmr.  Commissioner Business Trade & Cooperatives Edo State.

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FashionEVO x Olorisupergal x Made in Africa present “From Fabric to Fortune” — Real Talk, Big Moves, Afrobeat Vibes.

Workshops. Debates. ₦500,000 up for grabs. Serious conversations for fashion entrepreneurs, in a space where the culture moves. bit.ly/FashionevoSOT

Witness Product Launches: Be the first to encounter trailblazing products such as Victoria Ajayi‘s flavorful sauce line for Chow Noodles and Ade Laoye‘s luscious honey brand, Oyin Ade.

NICERT @ 7: 3 Days. 3 Free Certifications. Endless Opportunities: Celebrate with us as NICERT marks 7 years of impact — offering free HACCP certification to 3 companies and hands-on guidance to help you get certified and grow!

Nexus of Nature – The Organic Pavilion: Build. Scale. Thrive.

A dynamic space for organic entrepreneurs and dreamers ready to break into and dominate the organic market.

Other Funding Organisations – Look out for other funding opportunities at the Exhibition hall

Engage with Exhibitors and Network 

Ready, Set, Trade

Bring your product samples, business cards, QR codes, and finance documents.

Come ready to network, pitch, and unlock funding opportunities.

For inquiries, partnerships, or media partnerships, connect with us: Email: event@scienceoftradeconference.com | +234 916 766 7376

General Registration:

Dr Inya Lawal – President Ascend Studios Foundation & Convener of Science of Trade Conference (1)

SOT 2025 is more than a conference — it is a catalyst for Africa’s economic ascendancy. In partnership with the AfCFTA and other global allies, we are breaking barriers, building bridges, and unlocking the full potential of trade, innovation, and entrepreneurship across the continent and beyond.— Dr. Inya Lawal, President, Ascend Studios Foundation.

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Customers can now book appointments on to visit Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt or Omedel Luxury Hotel in Enugu to submit their applications and enrol biometrics for the summer season.

To effectively cater to the growing outbound travel to the UK, VFS Global is proud to announce that residents of Nigeria, travelling to the UK can now book appointments to submit their visa applications at its newly opened Premium Application Centres in Enugu and Port Harcourt. The two centres are in addition to the state-of-the-art Visa Application Centres in Abuja, Ikeja (Lagos) and Victoria Island (Lagos) operational from November 2024.

The UK remains a popular destination for travellers across Africa, with Nigeria in the top four nationalities by volume for UK visit visas, accounting for 6% of the global total. Rt Sir Hon Lord David Hanson, Minister of State at Home Office, said;

The government is pleased to be able to reopen the Premium Visa Application Centres in both Port Harcourt and Enugu. In 2024 we received more than 230,000 visa applications from Nigerian nationals across all visa routes and these new premium application centres will provide greater convenience for applicants in and around Enugu and Rivers State demonstrating the importance of the UK – Nigeria relationship in these markets as well as Nigeria as a whole.

Mr. Alok Singhal, Head-Sub-Saharan Africa, VFS Global, added;

We are pleased to open the additional, conveniently located touchpoints for our UK visa customers in the form of the recently opened Premium Application Centres in Enugu and Port Harcourt, Nigeria which helps us cater to a larger number of travellers to the UK. Our customers will continue to enjoy the same comfort, convenience, and best-in-class services at these locations that they do at our Visa Application Centres in Abuja and Lagos.

Customers who submit their documents and enrol biometrics at the Premium Application Centres can now enjoy a number of complementary value-added services offered by VFS Global such as document upload assistance, notification services on the status of their applications and courier return of documents. Moreover, customers can book the Keep My Passport While Applying service in advance on our website which allows them to keep their passports once their application is submitted and biometrics have been enrolled. Customers will only need to re-submit their passports when a decision is reached.

As a partner to UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, VFS Global offered visa services in 58 countries before the new contract and was awarded the contract to provide UK visa services in 142 countries worldwide in 2023.

UK Premium Application Centres in Nigeria

• Enugu: Ground floor, Omedel Luxury Hotel, Link Road, Enugu

• Port Harcourt: Hall 1, First Floor, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt

Website:   

Timing: 8 AM to 5 PM

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Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

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About VFS Global

As the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.

With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 69 client governments. Operating over 3,500 Application Centres in 158 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 309 million applications since 2001.