With over $250 billion injected into African economies, Afreximbank has established itself as an unshakeable force, transforming the continent’s economic trajectory. Since its creation in 1993, the bank has defied predictions and traditional models, demonstrating that resilience, adaptation and innovation are the true levers of African emancipation. The opening of Afreximbank’s 32nd General Assembly on June 25, 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, attended by over 6,000 decision-makers, marks an important milestone for the bank, which remains an essential pillar in the development of trade in Africa.
Founded in 1993, at a time when major economic policies affecting Africa were largely decided outside the continent, Afreximbank has, in the last three decades, reversed this trend. Thirty-two years on, the Bank embodies a new dynamic, based on resilience, agility and strategic innovation. With over $250 billion injected, Afreximbank has become an essential pillar for Africa, particularly in times of crisis. But its real achievement lies in its ability to finance crucial sectors such as textiles, film, creative industries and digital technology, often overlooked by traditional financiers. The theme “Building the future on decades of resilience” of Afreximbank’s 32nd Annual Meetings, which opened on June 25, 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, sums up this exceptional trajectory.
“Structural reforms and investment in key areas, such as infrastructure and human capital, across the continent are essential for sustainable development. It is time to be deliberate about industrialization, with a view to promoting a meaningful contribution to African exports, while diversifying the continent’s export base. Efforts must also be directed at areas of export diversification. We must improve regional trade through the AFCTA. We must create new trade partnerships and strategic alliances to enhance our collective strength and resources. New partnerships and strategic alliances will contribute to access to new markets, offer competitive advantages, and enhance innovation.”
Denys Denya, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank – Zimbabwe
Afreximbank is charting a path towards the continent’s economic self-reliance. By supporting the AfCFTA, which aims to increase intra-African trade to USD 712 billion by 2035, and by deploying the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) for payments in local currencies, the Bank is facilitating trade and reducing transaction costs.
“I should say that without the support of Afreximbank, the AfCFTA will not succeed. The reduction and elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers requires financial support. It requires financial tools. It requires tools for intervention in industrial development, gray trade, gray industrialization, and other tools that Africa & Bank has introduced over the years. In this context, allow me to mention a few of these tools. Working with Afreximbank, we introduced the Payment and Reserve System, which allows for payments in local currency at a reduced cost and instantly. Our collective estimates, Afreximbank and AfCFTA, are that this will reduce the cost of trade and currency convertibility by nearly $5 billion in the United States by enabling SMEs to take advantage of this market.”
Wankele Mene, Executive Secretary of the AfCFTA – South Africa
According to Afreximbank’s African Economic and Trade Outlook 2025, the continent is on a positive growth trajectory. Africa’s real GDP is expected to reach 4% in 2025, accelerating to 4.1% in 2026 and 4.2% in 2027. This momentum is the result of a gradual recovery, fuelled by rising global demand for African products, a gradual decline in inflation and the implementation of major structural reforms aimed at broadening the continent’s economic base.
