Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Minister of Finance, Budget and Privatisation of Burundi, was at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Headquarters in Cairo today for discussions toward the country’s membership of the African continental trade finance bank.
The minister, who was accompanied by Sélémani Mossi, the Ambassador of Burundi to Egypt, met with Afreximbank President Dr. Benedict Oramah, joined by Denys Denya and Dr. George Elombi, two of the Bank’s Executive Vice Presidents, and some other members of the Management.
Mr. Ndihokubwayo told them that he was in Cairo to pursue Burundi’s membership of the Bank because the country was convinced of the important role of the Bank in supporting and promoting trade and development in Africa.
Burundi would forward its instrument of accession to the Bank Agreement very soon, he promised, saying that he would look into speeding up the membership process once he returned to Burundi.
Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Minister of Finance, Budget and Privatisation of Burundi, signing the visitors’ book following the meeting in Cairo
The minister said that Burundi had projects in many sectors which the Bank could support, including in infrastructure and tourism.
President Oramah, expressed appreciation that Burundi had taken the decision to take the necessary steps to ensure that it became a member of the Bank.
He explained that, in the past, the Bank had had to turn down many transactions that would have benefited Burundi due to the fact that the country was not a member state. Once the membership was finalized, the Bank would be able to actively support transactions in the country.