By zainab.joaque@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE — The Federal Republic of Nigeria is set to host the 32nd African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Annual Meetings (AAM) from June 25 to 28, 2025, in Abuja—an event projected to be the largest in the Bank’s history. The meetings are expected to draw more than 6,000 participants, including African and Caribbean Heads of State, senior policymakers, global business leaders, and trade experts.
This strategic convergence signals a renewed momentum for African economic integration, as stakeholders rally around the theme: “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience.”
Afreximbank’s Annual Meetings have long served as the premier forum for economic cooperation on the continent. With over three decades of convening power, the 2025 edition will spotlight continental trade and investment strategies, particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The meetings will foster high-level policy dialogues, investment matchmaking, and the sharing of best practices in financing development and industrialization.
The choice of theme reflects the Bank’s recognition of Africa’s enduring resilience amid global headwinds and the need for innovative approaches to foster self-reliant economic growth.
Speaking at the signing of the Host Country Agreement, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, H.E. Wale Edun, emphasized the country’s commitment to continental prosperity.
“Nigeria is honoured to host the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings, which will serve as a vital platform to accelerate trade financing, foster economic growth, and unlock investment opportunities across Africa,” said Minister Edun. “This gathering underscores Nigeria’s vision of becoming a hub for economic transformation on the continent.”
Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with Afreximbank places it at the heart of the Bank’s operations. As the second-largest shareholder and primary beneficiary—with disbursements totaling approximately US$52 billion—Nigeria’s influence within the institution is both strategic and substantial.
Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board, Professor Benedict Oramah, praised Nigeria’s pivotal role in shaping the Bank’s direction and impact.
“The Government of Nigeria has been a steadfast partner and a driving force behind our success. Its support has enabled us to implement flagship initiatives such as the African Medical Centre of Excellence, the African Quality Assurance Centre, and the Afreximbank African Trade Centre,” Oramah stated.
He added that the upcoming meetings in Abuja will serve not only as a celebration of past milestones but also as a forward-looking forum to reaffirm the Bank’s mission: enhancing Africa’s economic independence and global competitiveness.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Cairo, Afreximbank has grown into a Pan-African multilateral financial powerhouse. As of December 2023, the Bank’s total assets exceeded US$37.3 billion, with investment-grade ratings from major global agencies. Through its financing instruments and trade facilitation programs, it continues to play a central role in promoting intra-African trade and industrialization.
Afreximbank’s support for the AfCFTA has been instrumental. Notably, it leads initiatives such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS)—which aims to simplify cross-border trade payments—and a US$10 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund to help member states integrate smoothly into the free trade framework.
These mechanisms are not only pivotal for driving intra-African trade but also for positioning the continent as a viable player in the global economic arena.
The 2025 Annual Meetings follow the success of the 2024 sessions held in Nassau, The Bahamas, which attracted over 4,000 delegates and 20 Heads of State. Abuja’s hosting is expected to further elevate the scale, visibility, and impact of the Bank’s strategic agenda.
As Nigeria prepares to welcome the world, the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings stand as a beacon of collaborative leadership, economic resilience, and a shared vision for Africa’s future. The convergence of financial minds and policy shapers in Abuja next year could very well mark a turning point in Africa’s economic narrative—toward deeper integration, greater self-sufficiency, and enhanced global relevance. ZIJ/9/6/2025
 Annual Meetings (AAM) from June 25 to 28, 2025, in Abuja—an event projected to be the largest in the Bank’s history. The meetings are expected to draw more than 6,000 participants, including African and Caribbean Heads of State, senior policymakers, global business leaders, and trade experts.){kind=link}