ABUJA — Nigeria has officially commenced hosting duties for the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM), bringing together key stakeholders from across Africa and the global financial landscape to discuss trade, investment, and continental economic integration. The event comes just days after the successful conclusion of the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), where regional leaders united to shape a shared vision for West Africa’s future.
The Afreximbank meetings, taking place in Abuja from June 25 to 28, have drawn high-level participation from heads of government, central bank governors, business executives, and development finance institutions. The gathering is themed around “Delivering the AfCFTA Promise: Leveraging Trade Finance for Economic Transformation.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fostering intra-African trade, strengthening financial collaboration, and driving industrial growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This moment represents more than just a meeting—it is a declaration of confidence in Africa’s capacity to shape its economic destiny,” Tinubu stated. “Following the West Africa Economic Summit, this event allows us to scale our regional unity to a continental agenda.”
Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah applauded Nigeria’s leadership, noting that the convergence of the two events sends a strong message about Africa’s readiness to lead its post-pandemic recovery through homegrown solutions and bold financial reforms.
“Nigeria is not just hosting this meeting; it is anchoring a pivotal moment in Africa’s economic history,” Oramah said. “We must take advantage of this momentum to deepen trade linkages, promote innovation, and build economic resilience.”
The Annual Meetings will include panel sessions on trade finance, regional integration, climate resilience, fintech, and youth entrepreneurship. The Afreximbank Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) will also take place, where key financial decisions and strategic priorities for the bank will be finalised.
The meetings are expected to generate major economic opportunities for Nigeria, including trade partnerships, investment pledges, and exposure for local industries.
Observers note that Nigeria’s back-to-back hosting of the WAES and Afreximbank meetings signals a renewed diplomatic and economic leadership role for the country in West Africa and across the continent.
