MIPAD recognizes Sand Mba Kalu as one of the Most Influential Global Top 100 Honorees in export and international trade
Sand Mba-Kalu, the Executive Director of Africa International Trade and Commerce Research (AITCR), has been recognized as one of the Most Influential Global Top 100 Honorees in the Export and International Trade Edition by the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD). This prestigious recognition is dedicated to supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and acknowledges Sand Mba-Kalu’s outstanding contributions to the field.
MIPAD is a global civil society initiative that annually identifies and celebrates the achievements of people of African descent across various industries. The Export and International Trade Edition highlights individuals who have demonstrated excellence in promoting and advancing trade, aligning with the goals of AfCFTA.
The AITCR team is proud to have Sand Mba-Kalu as a leader because he has been extremely instrumental in promoting international trade and evidence based trade policy across Africa and this recognition will reinforce his commitment to use trade and research as tools for Africa development.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by MIPAD as one of the Most Influential Global Top 100 Honorees in Export and International Trade. This acknowledgement is not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the collective efforts of the entire AITCR team,” said Sand Mba-Kalu.
The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world to observe the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation’s General Assembly resolution 68/237 from 2015 to 2024. MIPAD’s mission underscores the significance of this recognition and the global impact of Sand Mba-Kalu’s work in the export and international trade sector.
About Africa International Trade & Commerce Research (AITCR)
Africa International Trade & Commerce Research (AITCR) is an international trade consulting firm for the African market that offers strategic consultancy services to support African economic growth through research, trade and investment. Our purpose is not only for the sustenance of one region of Africa economic growth. We support the principle of intra-Africa trade, investment, African regional integration, and free movement of goods, services and labour across Africa — AITCR believe having a strong and prosperous economic bloc will provide the desired opportunity for the growing number of young, innovative and intelligent people across Africa.
As a specialist firm, AITCR offers organisations customised and relevant services to accomplish their corporate objective across Africa. These services include technical assistance that support governments, private sector, international organisations, development partners, and other stakeholders on trade policy, reforms, advocacy, application of international trade rules, industrial and investment policy regime.
AITCR is poised to encourage international trade to maintain the fast economic growth being experienced across Africa and provide information on Africa new growing opportunities to the business community that has the foresight to tap into this solid strategic market.
About Sand Mba Kalu
Sand Mba Kalu is an International Trade and Investment expert with over 15 years of experience in the African market. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of Africa International Trade and Commerce Research and is the founder of the International Trade and Research Centre. Sand is a distinguished National Chamber Policy Centre Fellow and a member of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Vice President of Ohafia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has delivered keynote presentations at various conferences and played a pivotal role in business development, research, and consultancy. Sand is the convener of the Nigeria International Trade and Investment Conference and Africa IP network. He is also an honorary member of the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT), Nigeria.
Sand’s experience in Africa spans across several sectors and involves many engagements, including assignments managed for the European Union, World Bank, International Trade Centre, Geneva, United Nations, German Embassy, GIZ, French Development Agency, EUIPO, French embassy, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN), Policy Development Facility 2 (PDF II), Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), and several other multinationals.
Regarding his education qualifications, Sand is currently pursuing his PhD at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, South Africa. He has also earned a certificate in Trade Negotiations in an Era of Uncertainty from the European University Institute, Italy, a Master’s degree in Business and Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Trade from the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Additionally, he has obtained a Certificate in Professional Consultancy, Value Management, and a Certificate in Management Consulting Essential (CMCE). Sand has attended various other professional development courses with the International Trade Centre (ITC), World Trade Organisation (WTO), World Bank, and Future Learning, UK. He is a member of several distinguished professional bodies and is an avid fan of Formula 1 Motor Sport..
