• As Egypt hosts 33rd annual meeting

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has called on African leaders to prioritise investments in processing and regional value chains as a strategic response to mounting global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.

The bank made the call while announcing its 33rd Annual Meetings (AAM2026), scheduled to hold from June 21 to 24, 2026, in El Alamein,.Egypt.

President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, George Elombi, said Africa must shift away from commodity dependence and prioritise value addition to unlock sustainable growth.

He noted that while Afreximbank has spent the last decade laying the groundwork for intra-African trade, the next phase requires a strong focus on processing goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

According to him, strengthening regional value chains and boosting domestic consumption will be critical to achieving shared prosperity across the continent.
For the past decade, Afreximbank has laid a solid foundation for intra-African trade to take off. As we enter this new phase, we must prioritise the processing of goods to be traded under the Free Trade Agreement.”

“With the current global turmoil, marked by policy uncertainty and intensifying geopolitical tensions, Africans must look inwards for solutions relevant to their challenges. 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.

With the theme “Intra-African Trade and Industrialisation: Pathway to Economic Sovereignty,” the meeting is expected to highlight the urgency for African economies to harness internal capacities and accelerate industrial transformation amid shifting global trade dynamics.

The event will convene heads of state, policymakers, private sector leaders, financial institutions, academics and international partners to explore actionable strategies for reshaping Africa’s trade structure, particularly in an era defined by protectionism and evolving economic alliances.

Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Hassan Abdalla, said Egypt is honoured to host the gathering, describing the country as strategically positioned to drive regional integration and advance continental priorities.

He added that hosting the meetings in El Alamein underscores Egypt’s commitment to strengthening African institutions, promoting intra-African trade and supporting long-term industrialisation across the continent.

The AAM2026 is also expected to provide a platform for high-level engagements, investment deal-making, and partnerships, with a focus on unlocking capital, enhancing trade finance and logistics, and advancing bankable projects that will support Africa’s economic transformation.