In Conversation with Emmanuel Nseghe | Torq Commodities

Emmanuel Nseghe ( Nseghe Ekpo )is AVP - Trade Finance and Projects at Torq Commodities. He has been with the team over the last few months. He brings a plethora of experience from his extensive career as a finance professional.

You may know him better from this video.

Let’s understand more about him, and what working with our team has been like!

• Who is Emmanuel Nseghe beyond his professional title? What are your hobbies, interests, and passions outside of work?

I love to play golf. Banking didn't give me time to play as much as I would have liked, but I'm making up for it now. I am also a passionate Formula 1 fan. Watching the Singapore GP live is on my bucket list. Love to travel, and spend time with my family and friends. I can't dance to save my life, but I do enjoy the music of a live band on Fridays.

• Where are you from, and how did you end up in the finance industry? What drew you to this field?

I'm from Akwa-Ibom in South-South Nigeria. I studied engineering, but I got my first job offer from First Bank of Nigeria. That’s how I arrived in finance.

• What are your earliest memories of money or finance? Did you always have a natural inclination towards numbers and business?

Yes, I did. My father ran an import-export firm, and I worked with him during all my holidays, as far back as I can remember. I learnt how to issue receipts, record sales, attend to clients and give reports. You could say it was my foundation for customer service and finance in general.

Career Journey

• Can you walk us through your career journey, from your early days to your current role at Torq Commodities? What were some key turning points or decisions that shaped your path?

I joined First Bank of Nigeria in 2005 as a Trainee. I worked at a branch for 1 year and transitioned to Head Office - Foreign Operations where I held various positions in cross-border payments and international trade, culminating in my heading the Trade Payments and Negotiations team.?

In 2023, I joined transaction banking as a Sales Team Lead covering corporate banking. In this role, I managed Trade, Cash and Value Chain Businesses for clients like Dangote Group, BUA Group, TG Arla, Guinness, and Flour Mills, to name a few. I left First Bank to join Torq in June 2024.?

Key turning points, I'd say, have been my move to transaction banking and Torq Commodities. The first was to advance my career within the bank, as growth is limited within operations.?The second was the unique opportunity to get involved in real business and work to grow a franchise.

• What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?

Working with some particularly challenging bosses would be the most challenging. You have to understand and manage your boss to get the best out of them and yourselves.?

At the end of the day, experience always helps to build you. In my case, I have worked with some outstanding individuals (on both ends of the spectrum). I learnt the type of boss I wanted to be, and the type of boss I did not want to be.

• What have been some of your proudest moments or achievements in your career?

These include my certification as a Documentary Credit Specialist from the London Institute of Banking and Finance and my award as the most customer-centric staff in the Operations team by the DMD of First Bank.?

Role at Torq Commodities

• Can you describe your role as VP - Finance for West Africa at Torq Commodities? What are your key responsibilities?

I am responsible for managing relationships with our bankers, ensuring that our financing lines are available and optimally utilized, engaging with regulators and other stakeholders, and managing payments for procurement and other official needs.?

Furthermore, I help ensure our people in the field are covered for their financial needs, executing management's strategy and ensuring that our books are kept up-to-date at all times.?

• What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see in the finance sector in West Africa? How is Torq Commodities positioned to address these challenges and capitalize on these opportunities?

We are abundantly blessed with arable land for farming, temperate climate, and mineral resources. If ethically used, agro-products and minerals will generate considerable value for the sub-region and Torq is uniquely placed to play a vital role in this process.

• How do you balance the financial needs of the West Africa region with the overall goals of Torq Commodities? What strategies do you employ to ensure that the region's financial performance aligns with the company's broader objectives?

Infrastructural development leading to value addition is key to West Africa's success. Torq is well on its way to contributing to this with new projects like the Soybean Crushing Factory and Poultry in Nigeria. I'm sure other similar projects are in the pipeline to help extract maximum value for our natural resources.?

Strengths and Areas of Expertise

• What are your key strengths as a finance professional? What do you consider to be your greatest assets?

Industry knowledge and analytical thinking are my core strengths. Having an extensive network of contacts is also very handy. I believe my greatest asset is my attention to detail.?

Expectations and Aspirations

• What are your expectations for your role at Torq Commodities in the coming years? What goals do you have for yourself and your team?

I expect my role to expand in tune with Torq's plans for expansion, extending from managing finances for the agro-export business to the other value-added facilities in the works. My team will continue to keep the group's strategic goals in sight and support the enterprise as it grows.

• What advice would you give to someone who is aspiring to a career in finance? What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in this field?

As early as possible, identify someone who has "been there and done that" as a mentor. As often as possible, seek advice and guidance on what courses to take and certifications to obtain.?

No one knows the road better than one who has already traveled it. Key skills will be a strong analytical mindset, business partnering skills, effective communication, and strategic thinking.