Abuja, June 25–28, 2025 –The African Export‑Import Bank (Afreximbank) convened its 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja under the theme “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience.” The event drew over 6,000 delegates including Heads of State, ministers, central bank governors, business leaders, and policy experts—from Africa, CARICOM, and beyond  .

Key Highlights of the Event

• Opening Ceremony & Attendance
  The meetings commenced on June 25 at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, featuring high-level participation from AU Commissioner Albert Muchanga, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Afreximbank President Professor Benedict Oramah  .
• Milestones Reflected
  Oramah marked the bank’s transformation: from US $4 billion to nearly US $40 billion in assets under his leadership, with Nigeria emerging as its top beneficiary—receiving over US $52 billion in financing  .

Strategic Objectives & Agenda

• Agenda Focus:
  
  • Rapid expansion of the AfCFTA trade zone
  • Modernizing cross‑border payment systems (like PAPSS)
  • Deepening Africa–Caribbean economic partnerships
  • Mobilizing MoUs, public‑private partnerships, and billion‑dollar deals  
• High-profile Participants:
  
  • Global economists Jeffrey Sachs and Kishore Mahbubani
  • African captains of industry like Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, plus academic and Caribbean dignitaries  .
• Sectors & Outcomes:
  Plenary sessions and forums hosted the African Energy Conference, Youth Economic Forum, and Medical Centre of Excellence launch on health innovation  .

Key Speeches & Takeaways

• Olayemi Cardoso (CBN Governor):
  Highlighted Afreximbank’s pivotal role in anchoring Nigeria’s economy and strengthening continental trade systems like PAPSS  .
• Olusegun Obasanjo:
  Delivered a critical address, lamenting weak economic governance in Africa and urging investment in agriculture as a $40 billion growth opportunity ().

Backstage: Deals, Partnerships & Legacy

• Targeted Transactions:
  Afreximbank aims to facilitate billions in trade/investment deals, reinforcing deep partnerships and infrastructure financing over the next decade  .
• Africa–Caribbean Ties:
  Okechukwu Ihejirika stated the bank is working toward direct air links between Africa and the Caribbean to ease trade and travel  .
• Institutional Evolution:
  Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment as Afreximbank’s backbone, evidenced by early capital injections and removal of regulatory hurdles ().

Looking Forward

• Convention Close & Leadership Transition:
  The meetings conclude with the shareholders’ Annual General Meeting on June 28, during which a new Afreximbank President may be appointed  .
• Expected Legacy:
  AAM2025 is set to leave a lasting positive impact on trade integration, innovation, infrastructure, and Africa’s financial independence through PAPSS, AfCFTA implementation, and high-profile projects across healthcare, energy, and quality assurance sectors  .

🇳🇬 As host, Nigeria anchored a significant platform for negotiating multi-billion-dollar deals, fostering Global Africa unity, and promoting critical institutional frameworks. The Abuja gathering underscored Afreximbank’s ambition to cement its role as a central institution driving sustainable economic transformation in Africa.