ITC awards first Diplomas in International Trade in Kenya

On 28 February 2025, 28 Kenyan experts received the ITC Diploma in International Trade, becoming the first Kenyan graduates of this programme. 

ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo congratulated the graduates: “By earning this diploma, you have made a clear statement: that you are ready, willing, and able to shape the future of trade policy and practice for the better.”  

At the graduation ceremony, ITC Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo commended the collaboration between ITC, the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, and Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA). 

The programme was designed to fill the gap in high-quality trade training for professionals in developing countries, particularly in Africa. Many trade support institutions, government officials, and small businesses struggle to access structured training, limiting their ability to compete globally. 

In 2022, Kenya joined the initiative through a partnership with the KEPROBA. 

Balancing work and career development 

This 18-month diploma provided in-depth trade knowledge while accommodating busy professionals. Joy Kiwango, a participant from Kenya Trade Network, who spoke on behalf of the graduating class, praised the diploma for ‘providing valuable skills in streamlining trade processes and improving service delivery. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO of KEPROBA, Floice Mukabane, praised the programme for enhancing Kenya’s trade capacity. 

Nigeria and Ghana are also part of the project 

The project has already expanded to Ghana and Nigeria, with partnerships that began in 2020 with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and in 2021 with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).  

Evelyn Obidike, Director of Product Development at NEPC and a graduate of the diploma, emphasised the value of the training in navigating trade challenges such as customs regulations and the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

ITC’s Diploma Programmes project manager, Julia Oyiolo, stressed the initiative’s importance in fostering Africa’s trade development. ‘If we want to see Africa thrive in global trade, we must invest in human capital.’ 

About the SME Trade Academy 

The SME Trade Academy is the online learning platform of the International Trade Centre. It offers over 100 online courses on trade and trade-related topics. Currently, the e-learning platform has recorded over 600,000 individual enrolments in its courses and issued over 90,000 certificates of completion. 

The courses are designed for entrepreneurs, business-support organizations, government agencies, students, and trade professionals looking to expand their knowledge.