The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening trade finance across the continent to unlock inclusive and sustainable growth. Speaking at the opening of the 25th Afreximbank Trade Finance Seminar (ATFS) in Abidjan, the Bank’s Managing Director for Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking, Ms. Gwen Mwaba, highlighted the immense potential of Africa’s natural and human resources when supported by effective financial systems.
Mwaba noted that Africa’s wealth in minerals, hydrocarbons, and agricultural commodities, alongside emerging opportunities in energy, metals, and logistics, could serve as powerful engines for economic transformation — provided they are financed responsibly and managed with strong risk frameworks. “To translate this potential into tangible outcomes, we need banks and financial institutions that are not only risk-aware but structurally proficient,” she emphasized.
She further underscored the critical role of skilled financial professionals in driving Africa’s trade growth, emphasizing that capacity building remains essential for converting resources into real economic progress. Over its three-decade journey, Afreximbank has built a robust portfolio that supports regional integration, value addition, and job creation through strategic trade finance initiatives.
Afreximbank’s programmes include large-scale financing for export-oriented sectors, trade-enabling infrastructure, and innovative risk-sharing mechanisms that attract private investment. The Bank also offers specialized facilities for commodity and project financing aligned with environmental and social standards, alongside training initiatives designed to strengthen the expertise of African bankers and policymakers.
The 2025 Trade Finance Seminar focuses on themes shaping the future of African trade finance, including digitalisation, data-driven transparency, and collaboration between banks, fintechs, and development institutions. Mwaba expressed optimism that the discussions in Abidjan would produce actionable strategies to further deepen Africa’s trade finance ecosystem. The event runs from November 4–6, followed by a Factoring Workshop on November 7, under the theme “Strengthening Trade Finance Capabilities for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Africa.”
source: The Guardian