Afreximbank Honours Prof. Benedict Oramah for Transformative Decade of Leadership
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has celebrated the conclusion of Professor Benedict Okey Oramah’s distinguished tenure as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors with a legacy conference held at the Bank’s headquarters in Cairo.
The event, attended by more than 2,000 guests, brought together heads of state and former presidents, African and Caribbean government leaders, top business executives, shareholders, Afreximbank staff, and members of the diplomatic community to honour Prof. Oramah’s decade of transformative leadership.
In his farewell address, Prof. Oramah reflected on his mission to make intra-African trade and investment the cornerstone of the Bank’s strategy.
“Our philosophy was borne out of the conviction that the only viable path forward for Africa’s development and economic emancipation was one that would aggressively reverse-engineer the colonial strategies of divide and rule,” he said.
He emphasised that Africa’s growth must be driven from within, with the continent engaging external partners “from a position of strength and purpose.”
Prof. Oramah highlighted Afreximbank’s progress over the past decade, noting the establishment of new institutional mechanisms that now serve as “formidable forces in Africa’s armoury for self-determination.”
Dr. George Elombi, Afreximbank President Designate, praised Prof. Oramah’s tenure, describing him as “one of the few who combine vision and execution.” He commended the outgoing President for laying the groundwork to advance intra-African trade, industrialisation, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Under Prof. Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank’s balance sheet and guarantees grew almost eightfold—from US$6 billion in 2015 to nearly US$44 billion by September 2025. His decade in office saw the creation of key initiatives such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which facilitates trade in local currencies, and the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, backed by a US$1 billion commitment.
Other milestones include the biennial Intra-African Trade Fair, which has generated over US$170 billion in trade and investment deals, and the African Trade Gateway, a digital platform bridging information gaps. The Bank has also driven industrialisation through the establishment of industrial parks, trade centres, and harmonised standards across multiple sectors.
Prof. Oramah’s tenure was equally marked by humanitarian impact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Afreximbank provided over US$10 billion in emergency support and financed vaccine procurement for Africa and the Caribbean.
Tributes during the legacy conference highlighted his efforts to strengthen socio-economic and cultural ties between Africa, the Caribbean, and the broader diaspora. Speakers hailed his vision for a self-reliant, united, and globally competitive Africa.
As Afreximbank transitions into a new era under Dr. Elombi’s leadership, Prof. Oramah’s legacy stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership in shaping Africa’s economic destiny.
