Afreximbank has called on African nations to take greater control of their economic future by strengthening regional trade and financial systems. Speaking at the Access Bank Plc 2025 Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town, Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade and Export Development, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, outlined strategies to counter shifting global trade patterns and rising protectionism.
Addressing delegates under the theme “Navigating the Future of Trade in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges,” Awani stressed the urgency of bolstering intra-African trade as a means to build economic resilience. She pointed to regional value chains as a key driver of sustainable growth and stability across the continent.
Since rolling out its Intra-African Trade Strategy in 2016, Afreximbank has facilitated over $20 billion in trade finance, benefitting more than 130,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) now operational, the bank aims to inject an additional $40 billion in trade financing to break down trade barriers, enhance payment systems like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and accelerate industrial development.
Awani also underscored the need for Africa to reduce its dependence on foreign financial institutions, advocating for greater local control over financial resources. Afreximbank is actively working with African banks and investors to ensure capital remains within the continent to drive economic expansion.
During the conference’s closing session, Afreximbank received the “Champion of Intra-African Trade” award in recognition of its role in promoting regional commerce and financial integration.
