The federal government has said it is finalising plans for the take-off of the African Energy Bank (AEB) with the conclusion of key legal and governance frameworks required for its operational launch
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, who made this known, added that capital mobilisation discussions have recorded “encouraging commitments from both member nations and private investors.” He emphasised that Nigeria’s role as host country reflects its long-standing leadership within Africa’s hydrocarbon sector.
Speaking during a high-level review meeting held in Abuja with the president of the African Export-Import Bank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, and the secretary general of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation, Omar Farouk Ibrahim, in attendance, the minister reiterated the stakeholders commitment to transparency and efficiency throughout the final preparatory stages.
“Our collective focus is on delivering a bank that catalyses investment, accelerates energy security, and drives economic growth across Africa,” Senator Lokpobiri added.
“The AEB is poised to become a transformative financing platform for energy projects across the continent. This review confirms that every critical milestone is either completed or on schedule, and we remain fully aligned with our continental partners,” Lokpobiri said.
During the briefing, the parties confirmed that a definitive launch timeline and inaugural board meeting date have been fixed and are expected to be announced shortly.
The meeting also assessed progress on the bank’s establishment and confirmed that critical milestones had either been completed or were progressing on schedule, a statement by special assistant on Media and Communications to the minister, Nneamaka Okafor, on Sunday, indicated.
APPO secretary general, Dr Ibrahim on his part, commended the pace of work: “We are impressed by Nigeria’s dedication to meeting the stringent requirements for bank establishment. The collaboration we witnessed today signals a unified resolve to deliver affordable, sustainable energy to Africans.”
Echoing this sentiment, Prof Oramah noted that Afreximbank is “ready to deploy its structuring expertise and capital base to ensure the AEB launches with the strength and credibility required to attract global co-investors.”
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