Annual ITFA Emerging Leader Competition 2025 – Submissions Now OPEN!

It is that time of the year again, and the 2025 edition of the ITFA Emerging Leader Competition is officially open! This year, we are delighted to announce that our sponsor, Africa Global Trade Finance, will cover flights and accommodation for the three shortlisted candidates.  Terms and conditions apply.
 
The main goal of this initiative is to provide Emerging Leaders in trade finance with a platform to showcase their ability to add value to the industry – a goal we have successfully achieved over the past few years.
 
The Hall of Fame currently stands as follows:

• 2019: Alero Arubi, Charlotte Prior, and Nigel Atta-Mensah – A Guide to Trade Finance
• 2020: Didem Bayseferogullari – ECA Support for Software Exports in the Era of Digitalization
• 2021: Georgina Stevens – ESG Educate
• 2022: Parth-Mahesh Damani – Improving the UK’s Balance of Payments by Increasing Trade Finance Opportunities for SME Businesses
• 2023: Charlotte Russo – The Trade Finance Talent Gap, Neha Saxena – Unlocking the Potential of DTSCF, and Ruby Zhou – ESG Pricing Incentive for SCF
• 2024: Gregor Mihelac – Demystifying AI, a groundbreaking exploration of artificial intelligence’s transformative role in trade finance.

The big question now is – who will join this list in 2025?
 
The guide outlines how to participate, the rules of the competition, and key practical details.  The three shortlisted submissions will receive a free pass for the ITFA Annual Conference, taking place 3-5 September in Singapore.  This pass includes full conference participation, entry into all social events, including the Gala Dinner and, thanks to our sponsor Africa Global Trade Finance, flights and accommodation for the three shortlisted candidates.
 
The winner will be awarded the 2025 ITFA Emerging Trade Financier Award and will have their winning project published by ITFA. The winner will also be officially announced at the ITFA Annual Conference in Singapore.
 
May the best Emerging Trade Financier win!