Outgoing Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah says the bank’s balance sheet and guarantees grew nearly eightfold during his tenure, rising from $6 billion in 2015 to $44 billion in 2025.
Speaking at a farewell event in Cairo, Oramah said the growth reflected the bank’s resilience and its role in Africa’s development. He also cited $1.4 billion in dividends paid to shareholders over the period.
Oramah credited the expansion to a strategy focused on intra-African trade and investment. He said the bank had to “fight on all fronts” to overcome early scepticism and continental challenges.
Key initiatives included support for AfCFTA, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System backed by $3 billion, and harmonisation of 500 trade standards. The AfCFTA Adjustment Fund now holds $1 billion in commitments.
The bank also launched digital platforms and trade centres, hosted four Intra-African Trade Fairs, and backed industrial projects such as the Dangote Refinery. These efforts attracted $170 billion in deals and 180,000 visitors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Afreximbank disbursed over $10 billion in interventions and provided $2 billion for vaccine procurement across Africa and the Caribbean.
Oramah said partnerships with African governments, central banks, and global institutions helped the bank attract and disburse $155 billion over the decade. He acknowledged support from commercial banks, DFIs, and export credit agencies.
Reflecting on his journey from joining the bank in 1994 to becoming president in 2015, Oramah thanked staff, clients, and shareholders for their support. He praised his successor, Dr George Elombi, as well-prepared to lead.
Elombi described Oramah as a rare leader who combined vision with execution. He said Afreximbank had become “Africa’s development supermarket” under Oramah’s leadership.
The farewell ceremony drew tributes from African leaders, business executives, and diplomats. Oramah was hailed as a trade architect whose legacy reshaped Africa’s financial landscape.
