Afreximbank has invested over $50 billion in Nigeria in the last decade, supporting key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, healthcare, transport and financial services. This was revealed by the bank’s President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, during the commissioning of the Afreximbank Africa Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja on Thursday.
Oramah said $19 billion of the total investment was directed into Nigeria’s financial sector alone, which has grown steadily over the years. He emphasized the bank’s commitment to helping Nigeria diversify its economy beyond oil through strategic investments.
The newly commissioned AATC in Abuja is the first of its kind and is part of a larger plan to set up trade centres across Africa and the Caribbean. The $120 million facility, which took 41 months to complete, is designed to promote trade, digital connectivity and regional integration.
The centre will host a technology hub, SME incubation facility, trade intelligence services and exhibition spaces. Oramah described it as a major boost for Nigerian businesses engaging in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Looking ahead, he announced that the next centres will be launched in Zimbabwe, Uganda, Egypt and Cameroon. He also mentioned other ongoing projects in Nigeria, including a $750 million African Medical Centre of Excellence in partnership with King’s College Hospital and the African Quality Assurance Centres in Ogun, Kaduna and Imo States.
To support the creative sector, Afreximbank has launched a $200 million facility aimed at helping youth and women in Nigeria export creative content across Africa and globally.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, expressed the Federal Government’s full support for the centre. He stressed its importance for job creation, SME growth and regional trade.
Nigeria’s Trade Minister, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, praised the initiative and Afreximbank’s impact, saying it aligns with Nigeria’s goals for economic diversification, trade development and digital transformation.
Finance Minister Wale Edun also commended the bank’s leadership, noting that its efforts are strengthening Africa’s role in global trade and financial integration. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for Afreximbank’s continued growth.