Afreximbank Launches Inaugural FOCUS Africa Forum to Boost Intra-African Trade and Investment
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation (MoPEDIC) and the African Ambassadors’ Group in Cairo, has officially launched the first-ever FOCUS Africa Trade and Investment Forum, aimed at accelerating economic integration and private sector growth across the continent.
Held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Cairo from April 15–16, the Forum convened policymakers, business leaders, investors, and diplomats to address Africa’s critical investment needs and unlock sector-wide opportunities in agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, tourism, mining, and the blue economy.
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, emphasized that Africa must shift its development model from external dependence to internal collaboration, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a unified, powerful market of 1.4 billion people.
“Globalisation is on life support. AfCFTA offers us the platform to turn inward and build Africa’s own version of globalisation — by Africans, for Africans,” Prof. Oramah said.
Egypt’s Minister of Planning, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, echoed the importance of private sector leadership. “Egypt aims to attract $60 billion in FDI by 2030. Already, private investments make up 63% of total national investment. Our reforms are geared toward making Egypt a key gateway for African trade and manufacturing,” she said.
The Forum highlighted a stark reality: Africa attracts just 3–4% of global FDI, yet needs $130–$170 billion annually to close its infrastructure gap. FOCUS Africa is designed to bridge that divide by facilitating bankable project showcases, business matchmaking, and financing dialogues.
Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Intra-African Trade at Afreximbank, stated that unlocking Africa’s potential hinges on scaling Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) models, mobilizing African capital, and fostering African-led solutions.
“We must move beyond pilot successes. Africa has the tools — now we need scale, coordination, and strategic partnerships to meet our trade ambitions,” Awani added.
Representing African diplomats, H.E. Dr. Mohamadou Labarang urged Middle East investors to recognize Africa’s evolving investment landscape. “This is not about aid. It’s about shared growth, built on strategic and profitable partnerships.”
Through its Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and a $10 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, Afreximbank is reinforcing financial and policy frameworks for cross-border trade. The Forum, aligned with AfCFTA, serves as a catalyst for private sector-driven development, aiming to boost intra-African trade beyond the current 15% threshold.
