The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) joined family members, friends and colleagues in Washington, D.C., on 21 August to bid final goodbye to Dr. Simon Nguiamba, the renowned Cameroonian economist, who died on 17 June after an illustrious career that ended with an extended stint as a consultant to the Bank.
Dr. Simon Nguiamba.
In a funeral message delivered on his behalf by Dr. Hippolyte Fofack, the Afreximbank Chief Economist, Bank President Jean-Louis Ekra described Dr. Nguiamba as a portrait of a courageous Pan-Africanist who dedicated his entire career and life to the development issues in Africa.
“Dr. Nguiamba was very passionate about Africa … he touched so many lives and strengthened the commitment of a large number of Africans towards the development of their continent,” said Mr. Ekra as he expressed sincere condolences on behalf of the Management and staff of the Bank to the family of the deceased.
Dr. Nguiamba died in Benin while travelling through the country shortly after completing his last assignment with Afreximbank. That assignment involved serving as part of the core team for the organization of the meetings and seminars of the Advisory Group on Trade Finance and Export Development in Africa held during the 22nd Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Bank in Lusaka from 8 to 14 June.
Dr. Nguiamba worked previously with the World Bank and, later, the IMF, before serving the African Union as Advisor to then Chairman Alpha Omar Konaré. At the African Union, he is credited with playing an instrumental role in laying the institutional foundation for effective economic and political integration of Africa through his contributions to the creation of the African Monetary Fund which works to avoid the recurrent risk of African countries having to consistently go to western countries for balance of payment support.
Dr. Nguiamba held master’s degrees in civil engineering and economics and a Ph.D. in economics.
He is survived by his wife, Myriam, and five sons.
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