Nigeria, the largest recipient of Afreximbank’s trade and development finance, has received cumulative disbursements of approximately US$52 billion from the Bank. It is also the first beneficiary of several flagship transformative projects.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and Afreximbank have signed the Host Country Agreement for the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM) in Abuja.
The Afreximbank Annual Meetings are among the most anticipated gatherings on the African continent, featuring high-level policy discussions, presentations, and side events on critical socio-economic issues. The event also includes business networking sessions aimed at fostering regional integration through trade and investment.
ALSO READ: I’ll grow Southeast economy from $40bn to $200bn by 2035 – SEDC boss
The 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings, scheduled to take place from June 23–28, 2025, are expected to be the largest in the Bank’s history, bringing together over 6,000 delegates, including Heads of State, government officials, industry leaders, business executives, decision-makers, academics, experts, and advisors from Africa, the CARICOM region, and beyond.
Commenting on the significance of the agreement, Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, emphasized Nigeria’s strong partnership with Afreximbank and its commitment to fostering trade and economic growth across Africa.
He said:
“Nigeria is honored to host the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings, which will serve as a critical platform to drive discussions on trade financing, economic growth, and investment opportunities across Africa.”
He added:
“This event is a testament to our commitment to strengthening Africa’s financial sector and positioning Nigeria as a hub for economic transformation.”
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, expressed his appreciation:
“We greatly appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria’s decision to host the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings. This demonstrates our shared commitment to accelerating Africa’s economic growth and development.”
He continued:
“The Government of Nigeria has been a steadfast partner and a pillar of support for the Bank. It has consistently responded positively to capital calls, injecting significant equity even in challenging economic times, removing regulatory hurdles that could have impeded the Bank’s operations in Nigeria, and leading continental efforts to rally support for Afreximbank.”
The theme for the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings, ‘Building the Future on Decades of Resilience,’ highlights the progress made over the past three decades and the bold steps needed to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.
Prof. Oramah added:
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable economic transformation, driving Africa’s growth and improving living standards for all. The Afreximbank Annual Meetings will provide a platform to reflect on our journey, celebrate key contributions, and chart a path that strengthens Africa’s economic independence and global influence. We look forward to welcoming stakeholders from across Africa and the world to Abuja for this prestigious event.”
He further noted that Nigeria’s unwavering support for Afreximbank has been a key driver of the Bank’s strong continental impact.
“Nigeria, being the largest recipient of the Bank’s trade and development finance, has received cumulative disbursements of approximately US$52 billion. It has also been the first beneficiary of several flagship transformative projects executed by the Bank, including the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), the African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), and the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC), among others.”
The 2025 event follows the highly successful 2024 AAM in Nassau, The Bahamas, which attracted over 4,000 delegates, including more than 20 Heads of State, government ministers, high-ranking dignitaries, global experts, and renowned artists.
Afreximbank was established after its first General Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, in October 1993. Today, Nigeria is the Bank’s second-largest shareholder.
About Afreximbank
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution dedicated to financing, facilitating, and promoting intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has deployed innovative financial solutions to transform Africa’s trade landscape, accelerating industrialization and boosting intra-regional commerce to drive economic expansion.
Afreximbank is a strong supporter of AfCFTA and, in partnership with the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, has launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). This system, adopted by the African Union (AU), serves as the payment and settlement platform underpinning the implementation of the African Free Trade Area Agreement.
Additionally, Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat have established a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to help countries effectively participate in the AfCFTA.
As of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$37.3 billion, while its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion.