For Joshua Egba, CITP, international trade represents meaningful opportunities to develop business, shape growing nations, and foster inclusivity through partnerships. From the earliest days of his career, his work has been guided by a deep belief that economic growth is a powerful driver of development, with trade being one of the most impactful levers to unlock that growth, especially in emerging markets.
“Ultimately, I chose a career in international trade because I wanted to help shape systems that create opportunity, especially in regions that have long been underserved. International trade became my conduit for doing just that.”
Today, as the Senior West Africa Representative for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Joshua stands at the heart of some of the most significant United States-Africa commercial initiatives of the past decade. His work bridges public and private sectors, connects policymakers with innovators, and turns promising ideas into development-driven trade projects with measurable impact.
Where development, policy, and trade intersect
Joshua’s international journey began shortly after earning his economics degree and later a master’s in international business. He was drawn to the intersection of economic empowerment and global markets—especially how trade could “create jobs, shift mindsets, and support long-term transformation.” He was also energized by the potential of public-private partnerships and the idea that smarter policy design, backed by international cooperation, could make doing business easier and more inclusive.
His early career placed him directly at that crossroads. Working on U.S. trade and development policy for Africa, he quickly saw how reforms, capacity building, and public-private cooperation could reshape entire market environments.
One of his most memorable career moments came in 2016. During this time, he was privileged to join the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and senior U.S. business executives who comprised the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) on a trade mission to Nigeria. Chaired by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the Council was formed to advise the U.S. President on ways to strengthen commercial engagement between the U.S. and Africa.
This trip provided an opportunity for the PAC-DBIA members to gather facts about the commercial opportunities and challenges in Nigeria and Rwanda, report back to the U.S. President with strong and actionable recommendations, and develop policy ideas that would benefit both countries and raise the commercial relationship to the next level.
Joshua’s work was instrumental to the initiative’s success. “I helped lay the groundwork for the formation of Nigeria’s Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC)—a powerful example of how trade facilitation and investment climate reform could be localized and led by national champions.”
“This experience reinforced for me the real-world impact that well-structured trade initiatives can have.”
Driving innovation through U.S.–Africa partnerships
More recently, Joshua was part of a 2022 transportation-technology initiative at the Port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire—a project that he is proud of.
“In 2022, I worked on an activity where a U.S. entity that develops intelligent transportation systems to improve freight transportation piloted their technology at the Port of Abidjan,” he says. The project explored how smart systems could alleviate congestion, streamline cargo flows, and support the country’s growing logistics sector.
The effort was built on earlier U.S.–Africa knowledge-exchange programs and showed how reverse trade missions and pilot studies can directly shape local infrastructure plans. In the end, his work paid off: “The project would ultimately assist Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Transport in developing a truck parking and logistics center using technologies from a U.S. company.”
Partnerships as a cornerstone to trade reform
There are many insights Joshua has picked up over his 15-year career, but one stands out above the rest:
“I have learned that in emerging and frontier markets, especially those facing major infrastructure gaps, partnerships are the foundation of meaningful trade reform.”
He saw this truth in action in 2024, when he met the CEO and board of a multilateral financial institution alongside his agency’s department head. Together, they shared deal pipelines and collaborated on a green and sustainable infrastructure workshop and, by doing this, their two agencies were able to catalyze interest and investment in projects that enhance trade.
Gaining a globally recognized credential while broadening his network
Alongside his vast knowledge and 15 years of experience in trade, Joshua decided to pursue his Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation for two reasons:
“The CITP designation demonstrates to stakeholders that I have been certified by a globally recognized institution. I am also interested in networking with CITP designation holders to broaden my contact database and facilitate stronger trade connections.”
When he earned the designation, he was eager to share the news. “I was delighted,” he says, adding, “I immediately announced to my family, friends and colleagues, and to my contacts on LinkedIn.”
“This is my first professional qualification, and one that I will treasure. The CITP certifies me for such important skills as ethics and professionalism required to practice at the highest level.”
Opening new doors in global leadership
Looking ahead, Joshua sees the CITP playing a critical role in his long-term aspirations. Hoping to serve on boards of international entities, he feels “the CITP ratifies my capacity to fulfil high-level international trade responsibilities across the world.”
As he continues shaping U.S.–Africa trade frameworks, building infrastructure partnerships, and strengthening West Africa’s trade environment, Joshua stands poised to expand his influence even further.
His combination of experience, credibility, and globally recognized certification is already paving the way for great change and opportunities across nations and continents.
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