Afreximbank 33rd Annual Meetings to boost intra-African trade

The 2026 forum comes as African economies confront global uncertainty, protectionist pressures, and shifting trade alliances

Cairo, Egypt | THE INDEPENDENT | Africa’s African Export-Import Bank is positioning its 33rd Annual Meetings (AAM2026), scheduled for June 21–24 in El Alamein, Egypt, as a catalyst for regional trade and industrial growth, aiming to transform the continent’s economic landscape amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Under the theme “Intra-African Trade and Industrialisation: Pathway to Economic Sovereignty,” the meetings will convene heads of state, policymakers, private sector leaders, financial institutions, and international partners to accelerate actionable initiatives that strengthen value chains, stimulate industrialisation, and enhance economic resilience across Africa.

Afreximbank President and Board Chairman, Dr. George Elombi, said the forum is critical for moving African economies beyond commodity dependence. “Africa must expand investment in processing, build regional value chains, and promote consumption of locally produced goods. These steps are essential for sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” he said.

The bank expects the gathering to facilitate investment deals, trade financing partnerships, and project pipelines, directly targeting the continent’s manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure sectors. Delegates will gain access to capital, technical expertise, and market networks designed to accelerate regional production and cross-border commerce.

H.E. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of Egypt’s Central Bank, noted that hosting the meetings reinforces Egypt’s role as a hub for continental integration and economic transformation. “Egypt’s strategic location and economic scale position it to drive intra-African trade and support initiatives that advance industrialisation across the continent,” he said.

Afreximbank has emphasised that the meetings will go beyond dialogue, focusing on measurable impact—identifying bankable projects, facilitating private-sector participation, and promoting intra-regional investment. By targeting actionable programmes, the bank seeks to accelerate industrial development, strengthen regional supply chains, and increase Africa’s economic sovereignty.

The 2026 forum comes as African economies confront global uncertainty, protectionist pressures, and shifting trade alliances. Afreximbank aims to leverage its platform to ensure the continent capitalises on internal capacities, fostering a sustainable, industrialised, and more integrated Africa.