Afreximbank plays key role in advancing intra-African trade, industrialization: AU’s Haddadi

CAIRO - 25 October 2025: Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Salma Malika Haddadi, praised Afreximbank’s collaboration with the African Union in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Agenda 2063 vision for a prosperous and self-reliant continent.

Speaking at Afreximbank’s Farewell Conference and Investiture Ceremony in Cairo, Haddadi noted that since the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two institutions in 2018, the bank has played a vital role in supporting intra-African trade, industrialization, and value addition across sectors.

She highlighted Afreximbank’s impact through trade finance, industrial development, and crisis response initiatives, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which she said demonstrated the bank’s agility and role as a cornerstone of Africa’s financial resilience.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the AUC Chairperson, Haddadi said the ceremony marked both a leadership transition and a moment of continuity and shared continental purpose. She paid tribute to outgoing President Prof. Benedict Oramah for his visionary leadership and commitment to Africa’s transformation, describing his tenure as one that “turned challenges into opportunities.”

Haddadi also congratulated incoming President George Elombi, expressing confidence that he would continue to advance the bank’s mission and strengthen its collaboration with the African Union. She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deepening partnership with Afreximbank in the coming decade of Africa’s integration and development.