Egypt's central bank Governor Hassan Abdalla took part this week in the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja, Nigeria, representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the country seeks to strengthen its leadership role in African economic integration. Held under the theme Building the Future on Decades of Resilience on 25 – 27 June, this year's general meeting focused on driving trade finance, economic transformation, and institutional cooperation across Africa. Abdalla emphasised Egypt's "firm support for African development initiatives and regional financial institutions," and praised Afreximbank's role in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and industrial financing. "Egypt remains committed to working with African institutions to unlock sustainable growth," Abdalla said in a central bank statement on Sunday, calling Afreximbank "a cornerstone of regional trade and industrialisation." Abdalla held meetings with Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema and congratulated newly elected Afreximbank's president George Elombi, who succeeds Benedict Oramah after a decade-long tenure. He also thanked Oramah for his leadership during a period marked by pandemic shocks and economic recovery. The governor also visited the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) headquarters, where he met with counterpart Olayemi Cardoso. The two discussed financial stability, cross-border fintech regulation, and shared goals for digital transformation in the banking sector. Egypt is Afreximbank's largest shareholder and hosts the institution's headquarters in Cairo. The bank, founded in 1993, is pivotal in supporting intra-African trade and export development across the continent. The meetings reviewed the bank's FY2024 performance and explored new mechanisms for trade finance, health sector investment, and interregional cooperation—including with Caribbean nations. Abdalla's participation underscores Egypt's positioning as a regional financial hub and a proactive player in shaping Africa's economic future. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdalla with Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdalla with Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdalla with Afreximbank's outgoing president Benedict Oramah Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdalla with Afreximbank's incoming president George Elombi Prev 1 of 4 Next
