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Trade Finance Instruments, Letters of Credit and Guarantees

Exporters and importers moving goods across African borders regularly lose money on mismatched documentation or poorly structured letters of credit. This course explains documentary credits, bank guarantees, bills of exchange and standby instruments under UCP 600 and URDG 758, so trade finance practitioners can structure transactions that actually get paid without delay or dispute.

What you will be able to do

  • Compare documentary credits, collections and open account trade as payment mechanisms.
  • Structure a letter of credit that matches the underlying sales contract precisely.
  • Identify common documentary discrepancies that cause banks to refuse payment.
  • Apply UCP 600 rules when disputes arise over credit terms.
  • Use bank guarantees and standby letters of credit to secure performance and payment.
  • Select the appropriate trade finance instrument for a given counterparty risk profile.

Course outline

  1. 01Payment mechanisms in international trade
  2. 02Documentary credit structures and parties
  3. 03UCP 600 rules and interpretation
  4. 04Common discrepancies and how to avoid them
  5. 05Bank guarantees and demand instruments
  6. 06Standby letters of credit explained
  7. 07URDG 758 and guarantee disputes
  8. 08Matching instruments to counterparty risk

Who should attend

Trade finance officers, import and export managers, treasury staff and finance managers involved in cross border trade transactions.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
24 to 26 Aug 2026Durban3R13,000
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
14 to 16 Sep 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
21 to 23 Sep 2026Dubai3US$1,500
28 to 30 Sep 2026Lagos3US$1,500
5 to 7 Oct 2026Harare3US$1,500
12 to 14 Oct 2026Kampala3US$1,500
19 to 21 Oct 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500
26 to 28 Oct 2026Pretoria3R13,000
2 to 4 Nov 2026Cape Town3R13,000
16 to 18 Nov 2026Online3US$900
23 to 25 Nov 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Cairo3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Accra3US$1,500
14 to 16 Dec 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
21 to 23 Dec 2026Kigali3US$1,500

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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