Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Wale Edun, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) through increased capital funding, regulatory cooperation, and sustained partnerships. Speaking during the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the bank in Abuja on Friday, Edun called on other member states to meet their treaty responsibilities and help build a stronger, more stable institution.
He stressed that Nigeria has consistently fulfilled its obligations and encouraged others to do the same to boost Afreximbank’s impact across the continent. Highlighting the bank’s major contributions to Nigeria’s economy, Edun revealed that Afreximbank has provided over $50 billion in development financing to the country. He also cited the launch of the African Trade Centre and the African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja as key outcomes of this collaboration.
Edun praised the bank’s support for small businesses and private sector growth, noting its role in job creation and economic transformation. He also acknowledged the leadership of Professor Benedict Oramah, Afreximbank’s outgoing President and Board Chairman, applauding his efforts in advancing African trade and integration. Under Oramah’s watch, initiatives like the Pan-African Payment System, the AfCFTA Adjustment Facility, the Transit Guarantee Scheme, and the Annual International Trade Fair have taken shape.
Calling the event a defining moment for the continent, Edun said Nigeria was proud to host the gathering, which brought together presidents, prime ministers, and business leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions. He described the AfCFTA agreement as a powerful opportunity to reshape Africa’s future and emphasized that the meeting was more than a formality—it represented a collective vision for a prosperous, united, and globally competitive Africa.
The 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meeting carried the theme “Building the Future in Decades of Resilience.”
