Nigeria to Host the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings in 2025: A Landmark Event for Africa’s Economic Future

By Baboloki Semele

The Federal Government of Nigeria and Afreximbank have formally signed the Host Country Agreement for the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM), set to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 23 to 28, 2025. This announcement marks a significant moment for the continent, as the event is expected to be the largest gathering in the history of Afreximbank’s Annual Meetings, drawing over 6,000 delegates from across Africa and beyond.

Afreximbank Annual Meetings have grown to be one of the most anticipated events on the African continent, bringing together a diverse group of global stakeholders, including heads of state, business leaders, economists, academics, and policymakers. The meetings serve as a platform to discuss critical issues around trade financing, economic development, and investment opportunities that will shape Africa’s future.

A Growing Partnership: Nigeria and Afreximbank

In his remarks, H.E. Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, underscored the strength of the partnership between Nigeria and Afreximbank. “Nigeria is honoured 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 stated. “This event is a testament to our commitment to strengthening Africa’s financial sector and positioning Nigeria as a hub for economic transformation.”

This strategic partnership with Afreximbank is not new. Nigeria has been a cornerstone in supporting the institution’s growth since its inception in 1993. The country has been the largest recipient of Afreximbank’s trade and development financing, with disbursements of over US$52 billion. Additionally, Nigeria has been a significant player in various flagship projects initiated by the bank, including the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), the African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), and the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC), all of which aim to address critical issues in health, trade, and industrialization across the continent.

A Celebration of Resilience and Progress

Reflecting on the theme of the 2025 meeting, “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience,” Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, highlighted the Bank’s decades-long journey of resilience and innovation. He praised Nigeria’s unwavering support, which has been a key factor in Afreximbank’s success and impact on the continent. “The impact on the Nigerian economy is equally palpable, and this partnership has driven transformative projects that have made a real difference in sectors such as healthcare, trade, and infrastructure,” Prof. Oramah explained.

The Afreximbank Annual Meetings will offer an opportunity to reflect on the progress made over the past 30 years and to chart the way forward, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a transformative agreement that aims to unlock the economic potential of Africa by facilitating intra-regional trade. The 2025 meeting will serve as an essential forum for policymakers and business leaders to discuss the role of AfCFTA in accelerating Africa’s economic transformation.

Legacy of Success

The previous Annual Meetings have consistently demonstrated the significance of Afreximbank as a central player in Africa’s economic growth. The 2024 Afreximbank Annual Meetings, held in Nassau, The Bahamas, attracted over 4,000 delegates, including more than 20 Heads of State, government ministers, high-level dignitaries, global experts, and renowned artists. These gatherings according to a press release from the bank, continue to inspire dialogue, innovation, and action across sectors vital to Africa’s development.

The release says Afreximbank’s role in supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA has been pivotal, particularly through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which underpins the success of the trade agreement. The creation of a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund further demonstrates Afreximbank’s commitment to facilitating trade across the continent by supporting countries in their efforts to participate fully in the AfCFTA.

Looking Forward to Abuja 2025

As the countdown to the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings begins, there is palpable excitement and anticipation about the profound discussions and partnerships that will take place in Abuja. Over 6,000 delegates from across Africa and around the world will convene in the Nigerian capital to explore ways to accelerate Africa’s economic integration, drive sustainable development, and position the continent as a formidable global economic force.

With a theme that reflects both resilience and ambition, Banks says 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings promise to be a defining moment in the history of the Bank and of Africa’s economic journey and as Nigeria prepares to host this historic event, the nation reaffirms its commitment to driving Africa’s economic transformation through strong partnerships, policy leadership, and innovation.

Afreximbank was established when the shareholders held their first General Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria in October 1993. Today, Nigeria is Afreximbank’s second-largest shareholder. 

About Afreximbank 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance, facilitate and promote intra and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative instruments to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has in partnership with the African Union Commission and AFCFTA Secretariat launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) which has been adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the African Free Trade Area agreement. The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank have created a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA.  

At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure, (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.