…Records over 6,000 delegates

By Matthew Denis

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Mining, Ambassador Albert Muchanga, are among the prominent figures expected to address the 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 25 to 27, 2025.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Mrs Anne Ezeh, Director of Communications for Afreximbank, described the upcoming event as a convergence of some of the most influential African and Caribbean leaders, renowned global economists, and innovative business figures, gathered for high-level dialogue on trade, development and investment.

Mrs Ezeh confirmed that the line-up of speakers also includes Caribbean dignitaries such as former Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, in a show of deepening cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Other confirmed speakers include renowned economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, and Dr Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the National University of Singapore.

From the business sector, leading African industrialists Mr Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, and Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, will feature prominently in key panel discussions.

According to Ezeh, the theme for this year’s meeting, “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”, reflects a strategic focus on harnessing the continent’s past efforts to accelerate future trade, investment and innovation.

She said the meetings will convene a diverse group of policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and investors from over 80 countries.

“As of Tuesday, more than 6,000 delegates have registered,” she said.

“AAM2025 comes at a pivotal moment for Africa. The continent is navigating global uncertainty with renewed determination. These meetings are about driving tangible outcomes, strengthening institutions, deepening trade integration, and unlocking Africa’s vast innovation potential.”

Ezeh added that the forum is expected to generate multi-billion-dollar trade and investment deals, with several major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and public-private partnerships to be signed across strategic sectors.

She also noted that the economic impact of AAM2025 will outlast the event, laying the groundwork for improved regional trade systems, more robust institutional frameworks, and upgraded cross-border infrastructure.

Key priorities on the agenda include: Fast-tracking the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); Enhancing regional payment systems for seamless cross-border transactions; Deepening trade and tourism ties between Africa and the Caribbean; Encouraging broader private sector participation in economic policy reform.

The 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings promise to be a landmark platform for shaping Africa’s trade future while reinforcing the continent’s position on the global economic stage.