Cairo: The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has declared that Africa's next phase of economic growth must be driven by intra-African trade, industrialisation, and greater economic sovereignty, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2026) in Cairo, Egypt. The position was outlined during a high-level media briefing hosted at the Central Bank of Egypt Auditorium by the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Hassan Abdalla, and Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr George Elombi.
According to Ghana Web, the central theme of AAM2026 focuses on 'Intra-African Trade as a Catalyst for Industrialisation and Economic Sovereignty,' reflecting the continent's growing determination to strengthen regional integration and reduce dependence on external systems. Africa has spent the last decade laying institutional foundations for economic integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and the Intra-African Trade Fair.
Officials stressed the need for transforming frameworks into real industrial production capacity, value addition, resilient supply chains, and bankable investment projects. Afreximbank also highlighted its financial performance since the last Annual Meetings, disclosing that the Group closed the first quarter of 2026 with total assets amounting to US$49.4 billion and shareholders' funds of US$8.6 billion, with a capital adequacy ratio of 23 percent and a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 2.40 percent.
Afreximbank successfully concluded a US$2 billion syndicated facility and launched a US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme to assist African countries facing supply chain disruptions and payment pressures. Investor confidence remains strong as Afreximbank secured financing through Samurai and Panda bonds, attracting lenders from multiple regions.
Preparations for AAM2026 are at an advanced stage, with Afreximbank working closely with the Government of Egypt and other partners. The meetings are expected to attract more than 4,000 delegates from Africa and the wider Global Africa community, including policymakers, financial institutions, private sector leaders, and international investors.
The agenda will focus on strengthening intra-African trade, accelerating industrialisation, and mobilising African and international capital for sustainable development. Afreximbank emphasised the core policy challenge of using regional markets and the AfCFTA framework to build domestic industrial capacity and retain more value from Africa's resources.
Officials reiterated support for projects such as the Dangote Refinery and the Afreximbank African Trade Centre project. The focus will remain on projects supporting transport and logistics corridors, energy systems, manufacturing platforms, and digital trade infrastructure. Afreximbank maintained the urgency for Africa to strengthen regional supply chains and reduce overreliance on external systems.
Over the next 12 to 24 months, trade finance, energy security, manufacturing, transport, health systems, digital payments, and strategic minerals processing will be priority sectors for financing. The bank also supports establishing an African Credit Rating Agency for balanced assessments of African economies.
Afreximbank concluded with discussions on strengthening partnerships within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region to improve financing access for the private sector across Africa.