By zainab.joaque@awokonewspapersl.com
Abuja, Nigeria – June 27, 2025 – In a stirring call to action at the 32nd Annual Meeting of Afreximbank Shareholders in Abuja, Ghana’s Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, championed Africa’s legacy of resilience and urged leaders to forge a united, self-reliant future.
Standing in for Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, who also chairs the bank’s AGM, Ampem’s address struck a powerful chord with delegates, blending gratitude, vision, and a resolute belief in the continent’s promise.
“Africa has shown time and again that we are not only resilient but resourceful,” Ampem declared. “We have adapted, innovated, and drawn strength from unity in the face of global economic shocks, health emergencies, climate crises, and political instability.”
Welcoming attendees to the historic summit, Ampem began by thanking the Nigerian government and people for their warm hospitality and praised Afreximbank for its seamless organization. But his core message focused on this year’s theme: “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience.”
Ampem outlined an ambitious blueprint for Africa’s future—one that goes beyond surviving crises to building a thriving, integrated, and sustainable continent. “We envision an Africa that is industrially strong, economically integrated, spiritually grounded, and climate-resilient,” he said.
That future, he warned, won’t come by chance. It demands “intentional design, robust partnerships, and courageous leadership.”
He pointed to Afreximbank as a critical partner in realizing this vision. Since its establishment in 1993, the bank has become more than just a financier—it has helped reimagine what African-led development can look like.
Ampem lauded Afreximbank’s bold initiatives to boost intra-African trade, support small and medium enterprises, and foster regional industrialization. Key among them is the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which is tearing down traditional trade barriers and empowering African businesses to compete globally.
“We are witnessing the results across the continent—from the rise of women entrepreneurs to the growing presence of African firms in global value chains,” Ampem said.
But he was quick to acknowledge ongoing hurdles. The international financial system, he argued, still works against developing countries. “Despite these challenges, Afreximbank continues to offer timely, homegrown solutions designed for African realities.”
Ampem reserved special emphasis for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), calling it a game-changing opportunity to transform Africa’s economic landscape. With a combined market of 1.4 billion people, he said the AfCFTA has the potential to unleash “unprecedented economic growth and integration.”
However, success hinges on smart policy, infrastructure investments, and united action. “The resilience we celebrate today must be matched with innovation, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of inclusive, sustainable development,” he urged.
In an impassioned closing, Ampem challenged delegates to rise to the moment. “We are at a crossroads. Let us choose integration over isolation, production over dependence, and bold action over hesitation.”
“Let our conversations be honest, our ideas bold, and our actions decisive,” he said, drawing loud applause from delegates.
Reaffirming his faith in the leadership gathered in Abuja, Ampem concluded with a rallying cry: “Let’s turn resilience into renaissance. Let us shape a future that reflects Africa’s full potential.”
He once more thanked Nigeria for its hospitality, inviting all delegates to embrace Abuja—a city symbolic of Africa’s energy and heritage—as the stage for reimagining the continent’s future.
“Welcome to a longer, brighter, more resilient Africa,” Ampem said, setting an inspiring tone for what promises to be a landmark gathering in Africa’s development journey. ZIJ/27/6/2025
