African, Caribbean Leaders To Headline Afreximbank’s 32nd Annual Meeting In Abuja

The 32nd Annual Meeting (AAM2025) of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is expected to bring together an influential coalition of global, African and CARICOM leaders in Abuja, Nigeria from 25–27 June 2025.

The high-level forum will focus on advancing trade, investment, and innovation across the continent, with Heads of State, Prime Ministers, top business executives, academics and acclaimed academics confirmed to speak.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ambassador Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry & Mining, are among the confirmed dignitaries, according to a statement that was issued by Afreximbank on Friday.

They will be joined by ministers, central bank governors, investors, and industry leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Held under the theme “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”, AAM2025 will focus on accelerating trade opportunities, driving investment and fostering innovation.

President and chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah,remarked:

“AAM2025 comes at a pivotal time for Africa. As the continent confronts global uncertainties, it is doing so with renewed resolve. Following the successful 31st edition of AAM held in The Bahamas last year, we are back on the African continent for this year’s meetings which are about catalysing practical action—building stronger institutions to strengthen trade integration and unlocking the full potential of African innovation. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support.”

The speaker lineup includes renowned economists and industry leaders including Professor Jeffrey Sachs, director, Centre for Sustainable Development, Columbia University and Dr. Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.

Africa’s foremost business innovation leaders such as President & CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, will also participate. The speaker lineup further includes Professor Ghulam Mufti of King’s College London, former prime minister of Jamaica P.J. Patterson, and other influential figures.

Afreximbank’s 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja are expected to deliver strong economic benefits, both in the short and long term. The main anticipated impacts include the trade and investment mobilisation, policy and institutional advancement and strengthening South-South cooperation and trade flows.

AAM2025 is expected to facilitate significant trade and investment deals, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and public-private partnerships. The meetings are expected to catalyse billions of dollars in funding over the next 5–10 years for key strategic sectors.

The meeting is designed to advance regional dialogue on several priorities: implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhancing cross-border payment systems to speed up regional transactions, strengthening Africa–Caribbean (CARICOM) economic ties through expanded trade, tourism, and joint ventures, and ensuring private sector participation in policy reforms. These discussions aim to reduce business costs, improve trade infrastructure, and deepen regional economic integration.

With world-renowned economists, scholars, and entrepreneurs participating, AAM2025 will shape thought leadership on Africa’s development path.