Two leading Egyptian business organizations have come out in commendation of Jean-Louis Ekra, President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), for building the Bank into a “strong and reliable financial institution” able to leverage significant international finance into Africa for the continent’s economic development.
The Egyptian Businessmen’s Association and the Egypt East Africa Business Council made the commendation in Cairo on 6 September during a ceremony organized to bid farewell to Mr. Ekra, who is concluding his tenure as President of Afreximbank.
Dr. Farouk Shaweer, who speaking on behalf of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association, said that Afreximbank’s success in raising more than $8 billion in syndications in 2014 represented one of several impressive achievements recorded under Mr. Ekra’s leadership.
He noted that Afreximbank witnessed a remarkable expansion of business activities during Mr. Ekra’s tenure and was able to grow its footprint across Africa with new offices.
The Bank also succeeded in sustaining its proven track record of loan repayments, he added.
Dr. Shaweer also extended congratulations to Dr. Benedict Oramah on his emergence as the next President of Afreximbank. According to him, Dr. Oramah has made critical contributions to the Bank’s export development drive and has led several pioneering initiatives.
Responding, Mr. Ekra expressed appreciation to the two associations for honoring him and confirmed that Afreximbank had enjoyed strong support from the Egyptian business community in its effort to increase trade among African countries.
Also speaking, Dr. Oramah reiterated Afreximbank’s commitment to continuing to work with Egyptian businesses in order to raise the level of trade between Egypt and other African countries.
The event was attended by members of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association and the Egypt East Africa Business Council, leaders of the Egyptian business community, representatives of the Egyptian banking and business sectors, members of the diplomatic corps and several members of Afreximbank.