This article was produced with the support of Afreximbank
Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, said preparations were “progressing at an accelerated pace through close and seamless coordination between the Central Bank of Egypt, Afreximbank, and all relevant national authorities.”
“Joint working teams are actively engaged across all organisational, logistical, technical, security, and protocol tracks to ensure the successful delivery of the meetings at the highest international standards,” he told journalists at a press briefing in Cairo.
Also speaking at the press conference, George Elombi, Afreximbank president and chairman of its board of directors, expressed confidence in how the planning process was progressing.
“Preparations are well advanced, and Afreximbank is working closely with the Government of Egypt and relevant partners to deliver a successful and secure Annual Meetings,” he said.
Financing Africa’s transformation
Reflecting on the meeting’s agenda and theme –”Intra-African Trade as a Catalyst for Industrialisation and Economic Sovereignty” – Elombi said that deliberations will focus on three core areas: Intra-African trade as a foundation for economic independence in a polarised world;Industrialisation and the shift from commodities to value addition; and the mobilisation of African and global capital for sustainable economic development.
“The central message is that Africa’s next phase of growth must be driven by intra-African trade, industrialisation and greater economic sovereignty,” he said. “The core policy question is how Africa can use the AfCFTA and regional markets to build domestic industrial capacity, reduce external dependence and retain more value from its resources.”
Elombi noted that the continent has spent the past decade laying the institution foundations for integration– and that the task now is to translate those platforms into production capacity, value addition, resilient supply chains and investable projects.
Afreximbank, he emphasised, is ready to finance this transformation. He underlined the strong financial performance and position of the bank, pointing to recent results.
The Group closed Q1 2026 with total assets and contingencies of US$49.4bn, shareholders’ funds of US$8.6bn, a capital adequacy ratio of 23% and an non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 2.40%.
Investor confidence remains robust, Elombi noted. “Afreximbank raised funding through Samurai and Panda bonds and secured a US$2bn equivalent dual tranche syndicated facility in Q1 2026, attracting 31 lenders across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.”
Egypt reaffirms support for Afreximbank
Abdalla highlighted the deepening partnership between Egypt and Afreximbank, describing the relationship as “both strategic and foundational.”
Egypt, he noted, is not only a founding shareholder and host to the Bank’s headquarters but also stands as its largest shareholder.
“This partnership is built on a shared vision aimed at advancing African trade, industrialisation, and expanding economic cooperation among the continent’s nations,” he said.
Abdalla pledged continued support for Afreximbank’s initiatives,including the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which facilitates instant payments in local currencies among African countries, and the MANSA platform, designed to enhance transparency and information exchange in the African marketplace.
He commended Afreximbank for its role supporting Egypt’s development agenda. “On the operational level, Afreximbank’s activities in Egypt since its inception have supported vital sectors, most notably the financial sector and the oil and gas sector.”
Alamein’s moment to shine
Abdalla noted that the selection of New Alamein City to host the meetings reflects the city’s strategic status as a link between Africa, the Mediterranean region, and global markets. It also highlights Egypt’s efforts in developing modern and globally connected economic hubs capable of supporting investment, tourism, and high-level international events.
“Furthermore, the meetings will shed light on the development model of New Alamein City, attracting interest toward new investment projects” he added.
Afreximbank’s annual meetings will coincide with Egypt’s hosting of the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit (24 – 27 June) and the African Business Forum (25 -27 June). All meetings will be taking place in Alamein, providing an immediate boost to its tourism sector and elevating its profile as an international hub for conferencing and business tourism.