Afreximbank, the African Bank for Trade Finance

Afreximbank, the African Export-Import Bank

Afreximbank is the African Export-Import Bank, a multilateral financial institution that finances and promotes African trade. Its headquarters are in Cairo, Egypt. Its shareholders include governments, central banks, financial institutions and investors. It aims to expand and diversify African trade while remaining profitable and socially responsible.

Its mission combines the steady growth of intra-African and extra-African trade with a role as a centre of excellence on the continent's trade issues. It therefore finances exporters, importers, intermediary banks and projects linked to value chains.

Creation of the bank and its locations

The idea emerged from a resolution adopted in Cairo in July 1987, within the framework of the African Development Bank. The institution was formally established in Abuja, Nigeria, at the first General Meeting of Shareholders, on 27 and 28 October 1993. Cairo remains the headquarters. In December 2025, the foundation stone of a new corporate headquarters was laid in Egypt's new administrative capital.

Shareholders, members and governance of Afreximbank

The capital is divided among four categories of shareholders. Class A brings together African governments, central banks and regional or sub-regional institutions. Class B gathers African financial institutions, both public and private. The other categories include international financial institutions, non-African states and foreign investors.

Governance rests on a board of directors, on a management team in charge of banking operations, credit, finance, treasury, risk and compliance, and on a corporate governance charter. The Cameroonian George Elombi has chaired the bank and its board since October 2025, after ten years under his predecessor Oramah.

In February 2026, South Africa formally joined, with a country programme of US$8 billion for industrialisation and regional supply chains.

Financing and instruments for exporters and importers

The instruments cover the whole cycle of a trade transaction. Direct credits to African exporters finance production before shipment and payment after shipment. Short-term lines of credit, of up to twelve months, and medium-term lines, of one to seven years, are channelled through intermediary banks that in turn finance companies. The import of equipment, spare parts and raw materials linked to exports is also financed.

Guarantees, including against country risk, letters of credit and the discounting of bills secure payments between distant partners. Insurance covers the commercial and non-commercial risks attached to African exports, and support for payment systems completes the offer.

Regional presence and intra-African trade

Regional operations are run from Cairo, Abuja for English-speaking West Africa, Kampala for East Africa, Harare for southern Africa and Bridgetown for the Caribbean. In 2026, the bank presents the African Continental Free Trade Area as a lever to reduce the continent's external dependence, by financing trade between African countries rather than sales of raw materials alone.