Egypt, Afreximbank Finalise Preparations for 2026 Annual Meetings in Alamein
The Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Hassan Abdalla, and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) President Dr George Elombi have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Africa’s economic integration ahead of the 33rd Afreximbank Annual Meetings scheduled for June in Alamein, Egypt.
The two officials addressed a joint press briefing at the Central Bank of Egypt headquarters in Cairo on 13 May 2026, where they outlined ongoing preparations for the continental gathering expected to attract African leaders, investors, policymakers, and business executives.
The 33rd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2026) will be held under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi from 21 to 24 June 2026 in Alamein City.
Speaking during the briefing, Mr Abdalla said Egypt was honoured to host the meetings, describing the event as a reflection of the country’s continued commitment to supporting Africa’s economic integration, trade expansion, and sustainable development.
He noted that the meetings would provide a high-level platform for discussions on trade finance, regional integration, and reforms to the global financial system aimed at better addressing the development needs of emerging economies.
Meanwhile, Dr Elombi said the Annual Meetings would serve as an important platform for strengthening partnerships, unlocking investment opportunities, and advancing discussions on intra-African trade and Africa’s financial sovereignty.
He stated that Afreximbank and Egypt share a common vision centred on accelerating industrialisation, economic transformation, and prosperity across the African continent.
Dr Elombi further stressed that Africa’s future growth would depend heavily on industrialisation and increased intra-African trade, supported by improved infrastructure, logistics, processing capacity, and favourable government policies.
The briefing also highlighted the strong strategic partnership between Egypt and Afreximbank, particularly in sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, industrial infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, construction, and oil and gas.
Dr Elombi disclosed that Afreximbank had provided approximately US$9.5 billion in financing to Egypt over the past three years.
He also referenced the construction of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, a US$250 million project aimed at strengthening trade facilitation, logistics, payments systems, and small business development.
Additionally, Dr Elombi outlined plans for a proposed pan-African Gold Bank intended to formalise Africa’s gold value chains, strengthen central bank reserves, and reduce reliance on offshore refining and external trading centres.
According to organisers, the Annual Meetings are expected to bring together Heads of State, ministers, central bank governors, academics, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners to discuss Africa’s trade and economic future.
The programme will include policy discussions, investment forums, bilateral meetings, deal-signing ceremonies, and sessions focusing on trade finance, infrastructure, industrialisation, energy, digital transformation, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
