As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) moves from policy to practice, LANI Group has announced a new operational framework designed to dismantle the barriers preventing seamless trade between West and East Africa.
The Group’s strategy addresses the missing link in Pan-African commerce: the need for a “trifecta” of diplomatic facilitation, board-level strategic advisory, and ground-level operational muscle.
Trade Diplomacy Meets Strategy
At the forefront of this initiative is Ani Charles Bassey-Eyo, Uganda’s Trade Representative to Nigeria and Ghana and CEO of LANI Group. Speaking on the evolving nature of African commerce, Bassey-Eyo noted that modern trade requires more than just goodwill—it requires intentional orchestration.
“Modern Pan-African trade requires a blend of diplomatic facilitation and commercial credibility,” Bassey-Eyo stated. “Under our facilitation, engagements move beyond introductions; they address market access, standardization, and the regulatory pathways that make AfCFTA promises tangible.”
In his role as Trade Representative, Bassey-Eyo is increasingly advising boards on managing the political and economic risks associated with cross-border expansion, helping organizations navigate the complex regulatory landscapes of multiple African jurisdictions.
LANI Merchandising: The Operational Engine
Recognizing that strategy fails without execution, the Group’s merchandising arm, LANI Merchandising, has been positioned as the operational bridge to aggregate supply and manage logistics. Led by Portfolio Lead Victor Dominic, the unit is already active on the ground, testing supply routes for priority commodities including ginger, avocado, and pineapple.
The Group has identified several key sectors where improved logistics and aggregation can displace costly international imports include
natural sweeteners & groceries, fresh and frozen proteins, dairy, beverages, and consumer staples.
“Governments can open doors, but companies like LANI must walk through them to create replicable, scalable trade corridors,” the Group noted in a statement. Over the next 12 to 24 months, LANI Merchandising aims to set a new benchmark for supply-chain excellence and export facilitation.
Call to Action
LANI Group says it is calling on boards and investors to move beyond aspiration by engaging in three practical steps: securing strategic advisory with diplomatic experience, partnering with operational aggregators, and designing “pilot corridors” to provide rapid proof of concept for new trade routes.
“Together, we can turn AfCFTA from a document into a reality by building capability and making the next decade one of broader opportunity,” the Group concluded.
