Abuja Hosts Afreximbank 2025 as Leaders Chart Africa’s Path to Economic Sovereignty
The 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) commenced on June 25 at the Transcorp Hilton. Running through June 28, this historic gathering marks a full-circle moment for the pan-African trade finance institution, bringing together key leaders, policymakers, and economic stakeholders from across Africa and the diaspora. Themed “Building the Future of Africa on Decades of Resilience,” the meetings arrive just days after the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit, where regional leaders aligned on a unified vision for the continent’s economic trajectory.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in shaping Africa’s economic future, calling on global investors to “take a bet on Nigeria” and “take a bet on Africa.” The President emphasized the nation’s renewed commitment to trade, development, and innovation, declaring that Africa has the resources, the talent, and the unyielding spirit to drive its own prosperity.
Day 1 of the Annual Meetings commenced with opening remarks from Mr. Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, who welcomed dignitaries and guests to what promises to be a defining moment in Africa’s economic integration journey. Key statements were delivered by Hon. Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Ghana’s Minister of Finance and AGM Chairman of Shareholders, represented at the session. A goodwill address followed from Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation and Chair of the Alliance of African Financial Institutions, who spoke on the significance of credit ratings and Payment and Clearing Systems (PCS) in Africa’s financial evolution.
A keynote address by Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, urged African leaders to move beyond resilience into reinvention, invoking a vision of connection and shared purpose across the Atlantic. Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, Dr. Tope Fashua reiterated Nigeria’s resolve to support the continent’s economic transformation through strategic reforms.
A major highlight of the day was the launch of Afreximbank’s 2025 African Trade Report and the 2025 African Trade and Economic Outlook Report, introduced by Dr. Yemi Kale, Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research at Afreximbank. These flagship publications underline the Bank’s ongoing commitment to data-driven policy and investment decisions.
The first plenary, themed “Realising the Vision of the African Founders,” was led by H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, and featured a panel discussion with Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment Hon. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, H.E. Kabiné Komara, former Prime Minister of Guinea, Mr. Abdoul Aziz Ba, CEO of African Trade and Distribution Company, and Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe of Afreximbank. Discussions focused on how the continent is delivering on its intra-African trade ambitions through digital platforms like PAPSS, Africa Trade Gateway, and MANSA, with initiatives such as the $1B transit bond designed to reduce currency conversion costs and facilitate movement of goods from Cape to Cairo.
Later in the day, a reflective session titled “Reflections with Former Presidents of Afreximbank” featured Mr. Christopher Edordu, the pioneer President of the Bank, and Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, former President and Chairman of the Board. Moderated by Mr. Ronnie Ntuli, the conversation provided an insider view of the Bank’s foundational years and how it has evolved from a crisis-response mechanism to a transformative institution with nearly $40 billion in assets.
Another critical session, “The Afreximbank Experiment,” brought together seasoned leaders such as Hon. Patrick Anthony Chinamasa, Prof. Bart Nnaji, Mr. Aliyu Ahmed, Mr. Kee Chong Li, and Ms. Rosa Whitaker Duncan-Williams to examine the Bank’s institutional model. Panelists agreed that Afreximbank’s evolution is a testament to Africa’s ability to lead its own development agenda, driven by innovation, bold governance, and financial sovereignty.
Healthcare also took center stage during a session led by Mr. Brian Deaver of the African Medical Centre of Excellence, Prof. Ghulam Mufti of King’s College, and Mrs. Oluranti Doherty of Afreximbank, moderated by BBC journalist Lisa-Marie Mistak. The panel explored how Africa can revolutionize specialized healthcare through research, infrastructure, and access-driven financing.
Concluding Day 1 was a thought-provoking conversation on the theme, “Can Africa Trade Its Way into Development?” featuring H.E. Ambassador Albert Muchanga, former AU Commissioner for Economic Development, and Prof. Marlene Attzs of the University of the West Indies. Moderated by BBC anchor Lukwesa Burak, the dialogue emphasized unity, scale, and innovation as the pillars of Africa and the Caribbean’s shared economic future.
The day culminated in the unveiling of a new book by Prof. Benedict O. Oramah, President of Afreximbank, titled Foundations and Evolutions of Structured Trade Finance, a significant contribution to Africa’s trade finance scholarship and a fitting close to a day rich with insights, vision, and action. As the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings continue, the message from Abuja is clear: Africa is not waiting for the future, it is building it.
