London, 27 April 2022 – Trade Finance Global (TFG) is delighted to announce the winner of the Accelerate Scholarship.

This writing competition enables students worldwide who are studying trade-related courses to learn from TFG’s editorial team and shape the conversion around global trade.

The TFG Accelerate Scholarship offers successful applicants a $1,000 grant to help cover the costs of their academic studies.

This year, TFG received submissions from 43 universities, across 12 countries.


This year, the winner of the scholarship is Albert Chris Puja from the University of the Western Cape for his piece, “Fintech solutions empower African SMEs with financing alternatives”

“It came as a great surprise when I received the email notifying me that I won this year’s competition. It still feels surreal. I am thankful to TFG for the exciting opportunity and experience,” Albert Chris Puja, winner of the Accelerate Scholarship 2022, said.

“I must add that this is a very proud moment for me and my other fintech law and regulation doctoral fellows under the supervision of the esteemed Prof Vivienne Lawack at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. 

“I also owe a debt of gratitude to the master of laws programme in international trade, business and investment law of the University of the Western Cape. 

“The programme advanced my knowledge of trade finance and the broader fields of financial law and economic law. I commend the wonderful work of Prof Riekie Wandrag who coordinates the master of laws programme and the various lecturers that teach in the programme.

“To other students like myself that are very passionate about trade finance and other thematic areas of the TFG Accelerate Scholarship, I implore you to follow the TGF platform for insightful articles. 

“If you can (and I encourage that you should), also participate in upcoming editions of the TFG Accelerate Scholarship. It is an exciting experience with so many wonderful opportunities.”

Read Albert’s article here

Natasha Roston, head of learning and development at Trade Finance Global, said: “TFG believes in educating the future leaders in international trade and with applicants from 43 universities across 12 countries, we believe we are doing just that. 

“From articles focusing on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, to the Metaverse, from the role of Fintech to the promises of the WTO, the array of trade insights was exciting. 

“Well done to Albert and all the runners up for your excellent contributions!”

The 10 runners up who will have their articles published with TFG are:

  • Sahresh Akhter, University of Bradford, UK
  • Rizwan Ali, University of Bradford, UK
  • Jose Pedro Ruao Nunes Malheiro Campos, Birkbeck University of London, UK
  • Efosa Enoma, Universität Kassel, Germany
  • Betty-Ann Ananeh Fremong, University of Capetown, South Africa
  • Aroosa Iqbal, University of Bradford, UK
  • Maha Zadeh Kazemi, Brunel University, UK
  • Lapite Olamide, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
  • Amir Sayyid, Loughborough University, UK
  • Jingcheng Song, University College London, UK

TFG would like to thank all applicants, the quality of the submissions made the judgment process challenging.

Keep an eye on this page for Accelerate 2023.