Sisi meets Afreximbank leaderships as Egypt seeks to leverage partnership

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday met with the outgoing and incoming presidents of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in a move highlighting the country’s ambition to expand its influence across the continent’s trade and development sectors.

Sisi met Benedict Oramah, who is stepping down after a decade at the bank, and George Elombi, the newly elected president who will serve until 2030. The meeting, also attended by Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Governor Hassan Abdalla, underscored Egypt’s long-standing support for Afreximbank and its role in boosting intra-African trade.

During the meeting, Elombi outlined his vision to broaden the bank’s operations across Africa, while Oramah reviewed major achievements, including the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Both praised Egypt’s contributions to the bank’s mission.

Sisi highlighted Afreximbank’s strategic role in strengthening Africa’s industrial base, increasing exports, and addressing structural challenges. He also discussed ways to expand the bank’s participation in Egypt’s large-scale infrastructure and development projects.

Governor Abdalla reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the bank, noting the CBE is Afreximbank’s largest shareholder, alongside five local commercial banks. Afreximbank officials praised Egypt’s steady economic growth, rising exports, and foreign investment inflows, especially following recent national infrastructure initiatives.

The meeting reflects Egypt’s broader push to assert itself as a central economic hub in Africa, leveraging its domestic projects and financial influence to support continental development agendas.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser