100% of CTFP alumni surveyed in Africa would recommend the CTFP to a friend or colleague
Join hundreds of Alumni in Africa
Cynthia Amoako-Baafi
BankingBanking / Mortgage Ghana
OKLU NYUMU
BANKERBanking / Mortgage Ghana
THEOPHILUS EWUDZIE ARTHUR
BANK OFFICIALBanking / Mortgage Ghana
Richard Rweyunga
bankerBanking / Mortgage Tanzania
CHRISTINA ACHIAA OPOKU
BANKERBanking / Mortgage Ghana
Hamdi Missaoui
Trade Finance ManagerBanking / Mortgage Tunisia
Seth Addai
Transaction BankingBanking / Mortgage South Africa
Stanley Charles Magulya
Trade Finance OperationsBanking / Mortgage Tanzania
Turn practical experience into globally recognised expertise
Bridge the gap between on-the-job experience and formal, ICC-aligned knowledge
Across Africa trade finance professionals build expertise through years of practical experience. But as trade becomes more complex, experience alone is often not enough. Employers, international counterparties and clients increasingly expect professionals to demonstrate knowledge of ICC rules, global standards and industry best practice.
The CTFP provides a structured, internationally recognised qualification that transforms practical experience into recognised expertise and gives you the confidence to engage with stakeholders across the global trade ecosystem. It will help you bridge the gap between on-the-job experience and formal, ICC-aligned knowledge
78%
of surveyed alumni in Africa say the CTFP increased their on-the-job confidence67%
of surveyed alumni in Africa say the certification increased their credibility with others
As a Trade Operations Manager, experience alone is not sufficient in an increasingly complex and regulated environment. The CTFP helped address this gap by providing structured, globally recognized trade finance knowledge.
While I had hands-on experience in export operations, I lacked formal training from a recognized rulemaking institution—particularly in import trade operations, guarantees, and the practical application of trade rules. This limited my confidence in advising customers and supporting strategic decisions.
I noticed that trade finance decisions were often slowed or weakened because other stakeholders operated with different interpretations of trade instruments, risk allocation, and compliance obligations. I needed a globally recognized framework and language to confidently align discussions, challenge assumptions, and influence decisions at a strategic level.
Certificate curriculum
The CTFP curriculum has been developed by 11 experts from the ICC Banking Commission and is internationally accredited by Bankers Association for Finance and Trade (BAFT) and the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF).
CTFP core courses
You must complete all 5 core courses to take the final CTFP exam.
Learn the cash flow and working capital cycle of commercial companies and develop a core understanding of the meaning and functions of working capital. Find out more about the Advanced Working Capital for Trade course.
This letter of credit training course provides a detailed review of documentary credits, from structuring and issuance to document verification to financing and settlement. Find out more about the Advanced Documentary Credits course.
Learn more about the issuance of a bank guarantee, the use of counter guarantees and more complex transactions. Find out more about the Advanced Guarantees course.
Learn the key role export credits and official export credit agencies play in international sales and its financing, particularly in developing nations. Find out more about the Export Finance course.
Gain an in-depth understanding of how various SCF products meet the financing and risk mitigation needs of different events and stages in the supply chain. Find out more about the Advanced Supply Chain Finance course.
CTFP Elective courses
Once you register for the CTFP you will be able to choose the 4 elective courses you wish to complete as part of your certification.
Learn the fundamentals of factoring, including its types and applications, its operational aspects and how to effectively sell this supply chain finance product. Find out more about the Factoring course.
Get to grips with the digital trade ecosystem including the advent of fintechs, the legal, regulatory and commercialisation challenges involved. Find out more about the Digital Trade Finance & Fintechs course.
An in-depth look at how standby letters of credit work, the purposes for which they can be used and the rules and regulations governing them. Find out more about the Advanced Standby Letters of Credit course.
Learn how to align the organisation of your sales team and staffing model to your bank’s business strategy, target customer markets and sales coverage process. Find out more about the Managing Trade Sales course.
This course will provide mid-level bank officers an overview of the key responsibilities of trade operations management and the skills required for long term success in the position. Find out more about the Managing Trade Operations course.
Learn a bank manager’s role in handling trade finance products and the working model product managers should use to enhance and/or develop trade products. Find out more about the Managing Trade Products course.
Learn about the three types of commodities, their features, and the risks involved in financing them as well as commodities trading from a banker’s perspective. Find out more about the Advanced Commodity Finance course.
Examination FAQ
To pass the CTFP and earn your ICC certificate you will need to complete a final 1-hour, online exam.
The final exam can be taken at any time after you have completed the prerequisites – 5 core courses and 4 elective courses. It lasts for 60 minutes and is live proctored via the internet. This means there is someone monitoring your environment via webcam to ensure there is no outside interference and maintain the integrity of the certification. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions.
Your purchase of the CTFP includes 1 attempt at the final exam. The passing mark is 70%. If you score lower than that you will need to purchase a retake for US$100 while you are still within your 6-month access period.
The CTFP is valid for three years from date you pass the exam.
To re-certify you must earn 24 CPD hours before the three-year expiration date.
Credits can be earned through online and offline learning as well as attending relevant events
A major problem I faced before the CTFP was career stagnation. However, within a year of completing the CTFP certification I was able to secure a better job opportunity. After this, it has been one job opportunity after another.
The CTFP accelerated my professional development by enhancing both my technical credibility and my capacity for leadership...management has increasingly relied on me to lead complex cross-border transactions.
Accelerate your career and increase your professional value
Stand out for promotions, new opportunities and leadership roles
The CTFP is recognised by employers across the trade finance industry as a mark of professional excellence. Whether you’re seeking promotion, a move into a more senior role, or greater responsibility within your organisation, the qualification helps differentiate you in a competitive market.
CTFP graduates in Africa report career progression shortly after completing the programme, with some achieving significant salary increases and taking on more strategic responsibilities.
39%
of surveyed alumni in Africa say the CTFP helped them get promoted or secure a new jobBecome the go-to trade finance expert in your organisation
Influence decisions, solve complex problems and lead trade finance discussions.
As organisations navigate increasingly complex trade transactions, they need professionals who can do more than execute processes. They need people who can interpret regulations, guide customers, solve problems, and provide expert advice when it matters most.
The CTFP helps you develop the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to become a recognised subject matter expert within your organisation. Graduates frequently report becoming the internal reference point for trade finance matters, taking on greater responsibility in customer engagements, supporting strategic decision-making, and playing a leading role in complex transactions.
The CTFP will help you become the person colleagues, customers and management turn to for answers.
The CTFP has raised my profile among my colleagues and positioned me as an internal expert on trade finance matters. My increased credibility means I have been selected to attend most customer engagements for my bank.
The CTFP certification has been well received by my employer, colleagues, and customers in Kenya and globally as it validates my technical expertise and alignment with ICC trade finance standards. It has positioned me as a trusted reference for both internal teams and the customer.
Register for the CTFP now
- 6 months access to each course you purchase from the date of purchase
- 50 hours of interactive learning over 9 courses and 35 lessons, including over 200 assessment questions
- Lesson highlight summaries at the end of every lesson to recap what you have learned
- Downloadable PDF study guides for each of the 5 core CTFP courses
- A timed one-hour online exam. If you pass (70%) you will receive a digital, industry-recognised ICC certificate
- 6-months’ access to the entire certificate programme – more than 50 hours of online learning over 9 courses, 35 lessons and a final online exam.
- Interactive learning – over 200 assessment questions, 5 pre-assessment games and transaction flow diagrams
- 16 case studies – we’ll show you how to apply what you learn to real-world scenarios
- Lesson highlight summaries at the end of every lesson to recap what you have learned
- Downloadable PDF study guides for each of the 5 core CTFP courses
- A timed one-hour online exam – if you pass (70%) you will receive a digital, industry-recognised ICC certificate
Trusted by trade professionals at leading institutions in Africa
Globally recognized
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the CTFP certification
The Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) is a globally recognised certification that validates expertise in trade finance. It demonstrates mastery of trade finance fundamentals, risk assessment, documentation, and international banking practices.
The CTFP is valid for three years before it must be recertified. The objective of recertification is to ensure that CTFP holders continue to maintain the high standards of trade finance skills and understanding that have been accredited to them.
We have recently updated our re-certification requirements to make them more flexible and less costly. You can see full details here.
(CTFP) is an advanced programme that targets more senior trade finance and treasury managers and specialists (or those aspiring to be) who want a wider range of expertise, such as:
- Heads of trade, FI
- Senior corporate banking relationship managers
- Trade finance specialists within transaction banking functions
- Senior corporate treasury officers
- Legal and compliance officers within banks
It is recommended that you have 5 years of trade finance experience before enrolling on the CTFP. If you are interested in a more foundational trade finance certification, please consider the Global Trade Certificate (GTC).
Each individual course within the CTFP curriculum will take approximately 5-6 hours to complete depending on your level of experience. To qualify to take the exam you must complete all five core courses and four elective courses of your choice – nine courses in total.
You must complete all nine courses and the final exam within six months.
Your purchase of the CTFP allows one attempt at the exam. If required, a retake can be purchased for USD $100 if you are still within your 6-month access period. Please contact our Help Desk at helpdesk@iccacademy.com.sg
Yes, the CTFP is globally recognised by banks, financial institutions and is accredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance and the Institute for Banking and Finance Singapore.
The CTFP must be paid for in full before access is given.
Absolutely! We offer bespoke pricing for bulk enrolments. Please contact us for more information.
Your purchase includes six months to access all nine CTFP courses. You can access the lessons as many times as you like within the six-month access period. Once you have completed all nine courses, you will get access to the final exam which must also be completed within 6 months.
Due to the immediate availability of our course content upon registration, ICC Academy has a strict no-refund policy for our courses and certifications. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate and gain access to the CTFP alumni network in South Asia. You’ll be able to use the CTFP designation, share your certificate online and connect with 200+ alumni across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka and more than 1200 globally.
If you already hold the CDCS or CSDG qualifications from the London Institute of Banking and Finance, you access a core pack of CTFP courses at a discounted rate. Full details here.
All our final exams are taken online. This means they are accessible at any time, from anywhere in the world. Learn when and where you want. You can find more details about how our exams work here.
The CTFP is a more advanced programme that targets new managers, product specialists as well as senior transactional bankers covering subjects ranging from working capital to supply chain finance. We recommend you have a minimum of five years experience or an existing trade finance qualification to take the CTFP.
The Global Trade Certificate (GTC) is an introductory-level online certification providing a comprehensive understanding of trade finance products. It’s an ideal programme for professionals wanting to build an understanding of the nuts and bolts of global trade.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help you understand if the CTFP is right for your career goals.