Wuraola Onigbogi-Jackson is a distinguished international trade and investment professional and grounded economist with over nine years of experience bridging the gap between African enterprises and global markets. Her career is defined by a passion for resolving global trade bottlenecks and fostering economic growth through strategic policy and cross-border partnerships. Currently serving as a Senior Project and Research Analyst at Ap3 Advisory Firm, where she supports several donor-funded programs for major institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), UK PACT, and C40 Cities, leading market intelligence on infrastructure investment and climate finance. She is currently supporting the OYO SAPZ market sounding exercise.
Wuraola has a proven track record of building international trade functions from the ground up. As the Head of Trade Services at the World Trade Center (WTC) Abuja, she achieved full operational readiness for the Trade Services and Business Club divisions within just six months. During her tenure, she facilitated several annual trade engagements and managed strategic relationships with the World Trade Centers Association in New York. Organized different successful trade missions locally and internationally to major markets including Turkey, the United States, India, France, Accra and China, resulting in significant commodity exportation and investment agreements. She Negotiated and finalized Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with global organizations. Facilitated high-level bilateral meetings with diplomatic missions.
Previously, as Head of Trade missions and Business Development at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), she managed the proposal development of $20 million grant proposal to the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) to enhance export opportunities for members. She has also provided strategic counsel to the Istanbul Africa Business Association and the Chinese-Nigeria Business Trade Steering Committee, where she worked to eliminate trade bottlenecks and establish the African Digital Trade Exchange. She and her team also organized several international and global exhibitions, trade fairs and B2bs to promote both bilateral and multilateral trade.
Wuraola is deeply committed to economic empowerment and social transformation. As the Founder and Lead Programme Director of The Wuraisgold Charity Foundation, she partnered with the team who delivered the SWEEAP programme in partnership with the British High Commission through the Chevning Alumni Fund.This initiative trained 691 women entrepreneurs, moving their export readiness from 21% to 78% and securing a legally enforceable 30% affirmative procurement mandate in Rivers State.
Her expertise in gender-responsive trade led her to support some trade initiative programes under the UN Women Nigeria, where she enhanced the export readiness of women- and youth-led MSMEs leveraging digital technologies.
A recognized voice in her field, Wuraola has appeared as a guest on CNBC Africa’s Power Lunch, where she explored India-Africa investment opportunities. She has moderated plenary sessions at the WTCA 53rd General Assembly in Accra and regional meetings in Sharjah. Wuraola is also a published author, contributing research on strategic trade agreements, industrial policy reform, and commercial diplomacy.
Her professional success is backed by an elite academic background and specialized certifications:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Leadership and Management from the Valar Institute, Washington DC, where she graduated in the top 5% of her class.
- Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Management from the University of Ibadan.
- Bachelor of Science in Economics from Redeemer’s University, graduating in the top 10% with the Founder’s Award for Excellence.
Professional Certifications include:
- Commercial Diplomacy and Foreign Trade Representation (ITC SME Academy).
- Client Management for Trade and Investment Support Institutions (ITC SME Academy).
- Program Strategy and Evaluation (Stanford University).
- Microsoft Office Specialist and EC Council Customer Relationship Management.
