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Trade Finance, Letters of Credit and Documentary Collections

Importers and exporters trading within Africa and with global partners depend on trade finance instruments to bridge payment risk and unlock working capital. This course demystifies letters of credit, guarantees and documentary collections so finance teams can structure secure trade transactions and avoid costly document discrepancies. Practical examples reflect the realities of cross border trade under AfCFTA and regional customs regimes.

What you will be able to do

  • Distinguish between the main trade finance instruments and when each applies.
  • Interpret the terms and conditions of a letter of credit accurately.
  • Prepare and check trade documents to avoid discrepancies and delays.
  • Assess the risks carried by buyers, sellers and banks in a trade transaction.
  • Apply guarantees, standby credits and supply chain finance to real deals.
  • Calculate the true cost of trade finance across competing structures.

Course outline

  1. 01Fundamentals of International Trade Payment Risk
  2. 02Documentary Collections in Practice
  3. 03Letters of Credit Mechanics and UCP Rules
  4. 04Checking Documents and Avoiding Discrepancies
  5. 05Bank Guarantees and Standby Letters of Credit
  6. 06Supply Chain and Receivables Finance
  7. 07Costing and Structuring Trade Finance Deals

Who should attend

Finance officers, trade finance staff, treasury teams and import export administrators handling cross border payments.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Online3US$900
24 to 26 Aug 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
31 Aug to 2 Sep 2026Cairo3US$1,500
7 to 9 Sep 2026Accra3US$1,500
14 to 16 Sep 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
21 to 23 Sep 2026Kigali3US$1,500
28 to 30 Sep 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
5 to 7 Oct 2026Durban3R13,000
12 to 14 Oct 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
26 to 28 Oct 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
2 to 4 Nov 2026Dubai3US$1,500
9 to 11 Nov 2026Lagos3US$1,500
16 to 18 Nov 2026Harare3US$1,500
23 to 25 Nov 2026Kampala3US$1,500
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Pretoria3R13,000
14 to 16 Dec 2026Cape Town3R13,000

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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