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The Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed the Host Country Agreement for the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM), scheduled to take place in Abuja from 23 to 28 June 2025.
Afreximbank Annual Meetings are one of the most anticipated gatherings on the African continent, featuring high-level policy discussions, economic presentations, and networking sessions aimed at fostering trade and investment across Africa and beyond. The 2025 edition is expected to be the largest in the Bank’s history, with over 6,000 delegates, including Heads of State, government officials, business leaders, academics, and industry experts from Africa, the CARICOM region, and across the globe.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, H.E. Wale Edun, highlighted the strategic importance of hosting the event, reaffirming Nigeria’s strong partnership with Afreximbank and its commitment to economic growth.
“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 said.
“This event is a testament to our commitment to strengthening Africa’s financial sector and positioning Nigeria as a hub for economic transformation,” Edun added.
Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Prof. Benedict Oramah, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for hosting the event, emphasising the country’s unwavering support for the Bank.
“We greatly appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria’s acceptance to host the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings, which demonstrates our united determination to accelerate Africa’s economic growth and development,” Oramah said.
He further praised Nigeria’s role in supporting Afreximbank’s initiatives, stating:
“The Government of Nigeria has been a steadfast partner and a strong backbone of the Bank. It has consistently responded positively to capital calls, injecting significant equity into the Bank even when the economic environment seemed challenging; removing regulatory hurdles that would otherwise inhibit the Bank’s business in Nigeria, and being at the forefront of rallying continental support for the Bank.”
This year’s theme, ‘Building the Future on Decades of Resilience,’ reflects the progress made over the past three decades and the bold steps needed to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. Prof. Oramah highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a game-changer, providing a unique opportunity for sustainable economic transformation across Africa.
“Afreximbank Annual Meetings will provide a platform to reflect on our journey, celebrate contributions, and chart a path forward that reinforces our continent’s economic independence and global influence,” he noted.
Nigeria’s long-standing relationship with Afreximbank has been instrumental in shaping the Bank’s strong impact across Africa. The country has received cumulative disbursements of about US$52 billion from Afreximbank and has been the first beneficiary of several flagship projects, including: the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), the African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), and the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC).
The 2025 event follows the highly successful 2024 Afreximbank Annual Meetings, held in Nassau, The Bahamas, which hosted over 4,000 delegates, including 20 Heads of State, government ministers, global experts, and high-profile dignitaries.
Afreximbank’s connection to Nigeria dates back to its founding in Abuja in 1993. Today, Nigeria remains the Bank’s second-largest shareholder, further reinforcing its critical role in Afreximbank’s mission to drive Africa’s economic transformation.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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