As part of a drive to ensure that its services, programmes and facilities are accessible to businesses in all parts of Africa, the African Export-Import Bank has undertaken a series of missions to African countries that are not yet members to encourage them to join the Bank and become shareholders.
Early in February, Afreximbank delegations led by the President, Jean-Louis Ekra, visited Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic of Congo to make the case for them to become members of the Bank.
The delegation to Equatorial Guinea, which was accompanied by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, included Dr. Benedict Oramah, the Bank’s Executive Vice President in charge of Business Development and Corporate Banking, and Dr. George Elombi, the Executive Secretary.
The delegation members met with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, who indicated the country’s willingness to join the Bank. He went ahead to designate one of his ministers to handle contacts with the Bank in order to facilitate that process.
Similarly, the Afreximbank delegation to the DRC was received by President Joseph Kabila, who also set in motion the process to lead to the country becoming a member of the Bank. That meeting has already been followed up with a visit to the Bank by a high-level delegation from the DRC, led by Patrice Kitebi, the country’s Minister of Finance. Its mission was to learn more about the operations of the Bank.
President Ekra subsequently travelled to neighbouring Republic of Congo to follow up on that country’s membership process, which had already started, and to attend the Build Africa Forum, which was held in Brazzaville from 5 to 7 February.
He held a meeting with Congolese President Denis Sassou-N’guesso and subsequently attended and addressed the Build Africa Forum.
The Build Africa Forum was held to provide a framework for practical exchange and reflection between global players engaged in forging Africa’s development. It attracted policy makers, donor agencies, NGOs and infrastructure and construction experts from around the world, who were involved in addressing the major infrastructure challenges of Africa.
Afreximbank President Jean-Louis Ekra (Right) makes a point during the Build Africa Forum.