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 The future of African trade and entrepreneurship received a pioneering platform on Monday, November 3, with the inaugural launch of Traxis Magazine at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi. Dedicated to spotlighting trade innovation, change-makers, and trailblazers, Traxis aims to steer Africa’s trade economy toward its emergence as a global superpower. 

The magazine’s birth is the result of years of hands-on experience and a deep commitment to the continent’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

Speaking on the ‘why’ of the magazine, Ijeoma Okonkwo, Editor-in-Chief of Traxis Magazine and its Founder, explained that the publication was conceived out of a necessity she observed while running exhibitions for years. 

“During these events, I saw many businesses come together for two to three days to make sales and gain visibility. Then I asked myself, ‘What’s next for these businesses? Why are they here?” Okonkwo said. “These people need visibility. What can we do for them? I decided to find a way to help tell their stories, and that was what led to the birth of Traxis.” 

Traxis is focused on amplifying indigenous businesses—those that source their raw materials within the country. Okonkwo passionately reaffirmed her commitment to shining a light on homegrown talent, stating, “Many people do not realise how rich Nigeria is in resources. Nigeria is a blessed nation with so much to offer, and those who are harnessing these resources are creating amazing products.” 

The magazine’s core mission is to tell the authentic stories of business owners to attract investors and introduce them to the global market. Unlike standard publications, Traxis is not for sale; its distribution is strategically targeted. 

“We are placing it in spaces like airlines, airports, and high-end hotels, where the people who come across it will truly appreciate the value of the work being done,” Okonkwo noted, ensuring the publication lands directly in the hands of potential investors and global partners. 

The inaugural edition features powerful stories, including those of Princess Adeyinka Tekenah of Happy Coffee Nigeria and Chibueze Obinwanne of The Milk Boosters. 

Princess Tekenah, the Chief Happiness Officer at Happy Coffee, emphasised the crucial role of visibility, particularly for female founders. “It is very important to see women who are working hard because our culture doesn’t recognize women’s efforts in terms of building strong businesses,” she explained. She championed the magazine as a necessary platform for young women to see thriving female role models and be encouraged to pursue their dreams with the tenacity required to build a business, likening it to being “prepared psychologically and mentally” for war. 

Tekenah’s faith in the nation remained unshaken despite personal tragedy. “The only place I feel a hundred per cent myself is still Nigeria. So it only befits me, as a Nigerian, to keep building the Nigeria of my dreams and a Nigeria my child would be proud of,” she stated. 

Chibueze Obinwanne, whose organisation, The Milk Boosters, provides a donor milk bank to support nursing mothers and reduce infant mortality, highlighted the practical challenges facing entrepreneurs. While their service is gaining public acceptance in Lagos and Abuja, Obinwanne called for better cold chain infrastructure to ensure the safe storage and transport of donated breast milk across Nigeria. 

The launch drew a crowd of entrepreneurs, investors, and business enthusiasts, all of whom shared ideas on strengthening the SME ecosystem. With Traxis, Mrs Okonkwo and her team are determined to push these positive narratives beyond Nigerian borders, ensuring the world recognises the innovation and resilience driving Africa’s entrepreneurial renaissance.