By Musa Ibrahim
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is placing industrialisation at the centre of Africa’s growth strategy as it prepares to convene its 33rd Annual Meetings in El Alamein, Egypt, amid rising global uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics.
The meetings, scheduled for June 21 to 24 and themed “Intra-African Trade and Industrialisation: Pathway to Economic Sovereignty,” come as African economies face increasing pressure from geopolitical tensions, trade protectionism and supply chain disruptions, prompting a rethink of reliance on commodity exports and external markets.
According to the bank, the gathering will bring together heads of state, policymakers, private sector leaders, financial institutions and development partners to identify priority projects and actionable programmes aimed at transforming Africa’s trade structure and accelerating industrial growth.
“For the past decade, Afreximbank has laid a solid foundation for intra-African trade to take off,” said Professor George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank. “As we enter this new phase, we must prioritise the processing of goods to be traded under the Free Trade Agreement.”
Elombi stressed that the current global environment makes it imperative for African countries to shift focus inward and build stronger domestic and regional value chains.
“We must wean ourselves off trade in commodities, expand investment in processing, build regional value chains, and consume our products to realise the growth and shared prosperity we want,” he said.
The push aligns with broader efforts to deepen trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, which seeks to create a single market for goods and services across the continent. However, intra-African trade remains relatively low, constrained by infrastructure gaps, limited financing and fragmented value chains.
Afreximbank said the meetings will serve as a platform for high-level dialogue and deal-making, enabling participants to access capital, structure partnerships and advance bankable projects critical to industrial transformation.
Host country Egypt said the event highlights its commitment to advancing regional integration and Africa’s development agenda.
“As the host country, Egypt is honoured to welcome distinguished delegates to the 33rd Annual Meetings,” said Mr Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt. “At a time of increasing global uncertainty and shifting economic dynamics, Egypt’s strategic location and economic scale position it as a key driver of regional integration and advancing continental priorities.”
He added that hosting the meetings in El Alamein reflects Egypt’s continued support for African institutions promoting intra-African trade and long-term economic transformation.
Afreximbank noted that the event will provide stakeholders across the value chain with opportunities to engage decision-makers, explore investment prospects and gain insights into trade finance and logistics, as Africa seeks to build a more integrated, industrialised and economically sovereign future.
The meetings are expected to reinforce calls for a transition from raw material exports to value-added production, with industrialisation increasingly seen as central to sustainable growth, resilience and economic independence across the continent.
