Eulogies poured in on Friday as African heads of state, government officials and financial experts paid tribute to the outgoing President and Council Chairman of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, honouring his remarkable contributions to advancing Africa’s economic and financial landscape.

At the Farewell Conference and Investiture Ceremony held in Cairo, Egypt, leaders from across the continent lauded Oramah for his visionary leadership, which strengthened regional trade, expanded access to finance, and enhanced institutional capacity across African countries.

Dignitaries highlighted his unwavering commitment to Africa’s development, noting that his efforts had not only transformed the bank into a leading continental financial institution but also inspired a generation of African policymakers, bankers, and entrepreneurs to pursue bold initiatives for the continent’s prosperity.

Incoming president of Council of Afreximbank, Dr. George Elombi, reflected on the extraordinary leadership and enduring legacy of Oramah, describing him as ‘the Great Masquerade of Development’ and ‘the Great Man of the People. ‘

Elombi recalled that when Oramah assumed office in 2015, his vision for Africa’s transformation was already sharply defined.

“Building upon the solid foundations laid by his predecessors, he sought to accelerate Africa’s trade and socio-economic transformation, expanding the scale and depth of interventions and implementing ideas that many once considered overambitious,” Elombi said.

“That comprehensive strategy would later be known as the ‘portfolio approach. ’

One that tackled not just trade, but the entire trade ecosystem, the roots, the branches, and the stem.”

Elombi recounted how under Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank had grown from a relatively small institution with assets of about $6 billion in 2015 to one with over $40 billion, establishing its continental and global relevance. “Brick by brick, Afreximbank and its partners built a solid foundation for enhancing intra-African trade and industrial development,” he said. “Instruments were created to dismantle the obstacles that have hindered Africa’s progress for nearly seven decades since independence.”

He highlighted the emergence of several transformative Afreximbank initiatives — including the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), AfrexInsure, a project preparation fund, a concessionary finance window, and the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE).

“These are not just financial mechanisms,” Elombi observed, “but vehicles of transformation that address the continent’s industrial and developmental needs.”

Elombi said under his stewardship, Afreximbank played a pivotal role in supporting critical infrastructure projects, empowering local businesses, and fostering cross-border investment, leaving a lasting legacy of growth and integration.

He noted that Oramah pursued an ambitious agenda to accelerate African trade, expanding interventions and initiatives aimed at addressing long-standing challenges that have hindered the continent’s economic growth.

Oramah played a pivotal role in breaking infrastructure barriers and laying a solid foundation to enhance intra-African trade, tackling obstacles that had constrained progress for nearly seven decades.

Elombi emphasised that under his leadership, Afreximbank became one of the key multilateral institutions driving the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and reshaping Africa’s trade landscape.

He also added that Africans in the diaspora now have opportunities to reconnect with their roots and contribute to the continent’s development by funding strategic projects and initiatives.

Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described Oramah as a man who makes the impossible possible, courageous, visionary, and bold.

He said that under Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank became an institution that turned African dreams and aspirations into reality. According to him, the bank has proved to be a true crisis solver, one that stood firmly with African enterprises when it mattered most.

Dangote reflected on his experience with the Dangote Refinery project, recalling how Afreximbank provided crucial support at a time when even the visionaries behind the initiative were uncertain of what lay ahead.

He stated that the ambition was to construct a facility 50 per cent larger than those established by multilateral institutions or sovereign nations, a feat that, he said, would not have been possible without Afreximbank’s backing.

Dangote emphasised that Oramah’s belief in African enterprise was instrumental in making the refinery, petrochemical, and fertiliser projects a reality.

He explained that the bank’s approach to financing is uniquely supportive, noting that it does not demand excessive collateral but rather invests in the strength of African ideas and leadership.

“Oramah turned our dreams into reality,” Dangote said, adding that every great project requires someone with the courage to transform vision into achievement.

He described the farewell to Oramah as a bittersweet moment filled with gratitude, noting that he represents the best of Africa’s leadership.

Dangote praised him for inspiring governments and businesses to believe in Africa’s potential, stating that Oramah has revolutionised how trade and financial institutions operate, connect markets, and facilitate continental integration.

He recalled that the $2.2 billion fertiliser project received Afreximbank’s support that went far beyond traditional funding, encompassing strategic guidance and steadfast commitment.

“Even during the global standstill in 2021, when the world seemed to pause amid the pandemic, Afreximbank’s faith never wavered and neither did construction on the refinery,” he said.

Dangote concluded that Oramah’s leadership exemplifies what it means to champion Africa’s transformation through vision, resilience, and belief in the continent’s own strength.

Managing Director and Group Treasurer of Afreximbank, Chandi Mwenebungu, commended Oramah for his transformative leadership, noting that the bank’s assets grew from $5 million in 2015 to $46.6 billion within 11 years. Mwenebungu explained that under Oramah’s stewardship, Afreximbank’s balance sheet expanded significantly, reflecting the institution’s strengthened financial position and growing influence across the continent.

The President of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, also paid tribute to Oramah for his unwavering support and instrumental role in the establishment and success of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Mene recalled that Oramah and Afreximbank not only provided institutional support but also committed up to $10 billion to advance the AfCFTA’s implementation and strengthen its foundation as a pan-African initiative.

He noted that Oramah’s leadership at Afreximbank helped restore confidence in Africa’s ability to design, own, and deliver solutions through its own institutions. By championing innovation and accelerating industrial development, Oramah reinforced the belief that Africa’s progress can and must be driven by Africans themselves.

Mene explained that the strong relationship between Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat has translated into tangible benefits for the continent, especially through initiatives that have supported small businesses, empowered young entrepreneurs, and stimulated the creative industry across multiple countries.

Highlighting key milestones, Mene pointed to the establishment of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which now enables trade in local currencies, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of intra-African trade.

He said this achievement was possible because of Oramah’s determination to ensure that such a system became a reality, aligning with the AfCFTA’s broader vision of a truly integrated African market. Mene also referenced the creation of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, launched with a seed capital of $1 billion, designed to help countries and businesses adapt to the new trading environment.

Reflecting on recent progress, Mene shared that during engagements in Algeria, they secured huge investment deals primarily to support small and medium-sized enterprises and empower Africa’s youth.

These partnerships, he noted, are a direct outcome of the confidence and momentum generated through Afreximbank’s initiatives under Oramah’s leadership.

Mene commended Oramah’s courage, vision, and steadfast belief in Africa’s potential. He emphasised that the continent must continue to build and strengthen its own market structures to navigate the evolving global economic landscape in both the medium and long term.

He described Oramah’s contribution as foundational, noting that his legacy will endure in the institutions, systems, and opportunities he helped create for a more self-reliant and prosperous Africa.

Director of Guarantees and Specialised Finance, Kofi Asumadu Addo, noted that Oramah’s tenure ushered in innovative collaborations with insurance firms, creating new channels for risk distribution and contributing to the bank’s improved credit rating.

He explained that the insurance market has now become a vital mechanism for the bank to manage exposure and expand its reach, with plans underway to establish an insurance platform designed to deliver long-term value.

Addo added that Oramah also worked closely with legal experts to develop comprehensive insurance policies for the institution, resulting in the engagement of 59 underwriters and the attraction of major institutional investors who now partner with the bank in advancing its mission across Africa.

Founder of TRT Investments, a diversified African investment group, Adam Molai, Founder of TRT Investments, described Oramah as a visionary leader who sees potential in people and creates the right conditions for their growth. He said Oramah is not only a developer of talent but also a relationship builder par excellence — a tireless worker whose impact extends far beyond the walls of Afreximbank.

Molai noted that they both shared a strong Pan-African vision rooted in belief in the continent’s capacity to rise through its own ingenuity and collaboration.

He emphasised that Oramah’s true legacy would be defined not only by his accomplishments but also by how effectively the next generation continues his mission.

“His legacy will be measured by how we support his successor,” Molai said, urging all stakeholders to ensure the continued success of Afreximbank’s leadership.

He added that Oramah has changed lives, built dreams, and inspired a new generation of Africans to think boldly about the continent’s possibilities. Through his work, he said, Oramah has strengthened institutions and restored confidence in Africa’s potential.

Molai thanked Oramah for his unwavering belief in Africa and for reminding all that success is possible when driven by conviction and purpose.

First President of Afreximbank, Dr. Christopher Edordu, paid glowing tribute to Oramah, describing him as a leader whose entrepreneurial spirit and innovative drive have redefined the institution’s mission and impact across the continent.

Reflecting on his tenure, Edordu said Oramah approached leadership with the dynamism of a true entrepreneur, constantly seeking new opportunities, fostering innovation, and turning visionary ideas into tangible achievements.

He noted that during Oramah’s presidency, the bank undertook no fewer than 35 major projects and initiatives, a testament to his exceptional ability to transform strategy into execution.

“He is a master of project implementation,” Dr. Edordu said, explaining that Oramah’s approach combined meticulous planning with boldness and a willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of Africa’s transformation.

Edordu highlighted that one of Oramah’s defining qualities is his culture of cumulative growth — a leadership philosophy rooted in continuity and progressive development.

He observed that Oramah never sought to discard what his predecessors had built; instead, he expanded upon existing foundations, ensuring that every stage of growth strengthened the institution’s long-term strategic vision.

This, he said, has allowed Afreximbank to evolve into a formidable continental force, one capable of addressing Africa’s complex trade and development challenges with confidence and foresight.

Beyond his intellect and achievements, Edordu emphasised the rare combination of humility and power that defines Oramah’s character.

He also described him as a leader who commands respect not through authority alone but through quiet strength, empathy, and a deep sense of service. “He carries his power lightly,” Edordu reflected, adding that Oramah’s humility makes him accessible to colleagues at all levels while his determination inspires them to reach higher.