The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) have outlined preparations for the 33rd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2026), set to take place in Alamein, Egypt, from 21 to 24 June 2026. The announcement was made during a joint press briefing held at the CBE headquarters in Cairo on 13 May 2026, led by CBE Governor H.E. Mr. Hassan Abdalla and Afreximbank President and Chairman Dr. George Elombi.
Egypt's Commitment to Hosting AAM2026
Governor Abdalla reaffirmed Egypt's dedication to successfully hosting the event, emphasizing the country's readiness and its longstanding partnership with Afreximbank to bolster Africa's economic development, trade, and investment. He stated that the meetings represent a high-level platform for dialogue on the future of African economic and financial cooperation, extending beyond conventional discussions to address trade finance, regional integration, and the reform of the global financial architecture to better serve emerging economies.
Strategic Partnership and Vision
Dr. Elombi expressed gratitude for Egypt's support, noting that the country and Afreximbank share a common vision to accelerate Africa's economic development, industrialization, and widespread prosperity. He highlighted that AAM2026 will strengthen partnerships, unlock investment opportunities, and advance discussions on intra-African trade, financial sovereignty, and economic resilience. The Bank aims to identify priority projects and actionable programs to transform Africa's trade infrastructure, driven by industrialization and intra-African trade, requiring improvements in processing, logistics, and policy support.
Opportunities for Egypt
Hosting AAM2026 positions Egypt as a regional financial and business hub, supporting the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, creating opportunities for businesses and investors, and boosting tourism in Alamein. Elombi revealed that Afreximbank has provided approximately US$9.5 billion in financing to Egypt over the past three years. He also referenced the groundbreaking of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in the New Administrative Capital in December 2025, a US$250 million project to enhance Egypt's role in trade facilitation, payments, logistics, and SME development.
Pan-African Gold Bank Initiative
Elombi outlined plans for a proposed pan-African Gold Bank, aimed at formalizing Africa's gold value chains, strengthening central bank reserves, and reducing dependence on offshore refining and external trading centers.
AAM2026 Programme and Participants
The Annual Meetings have become a leading platform for shaping dialogue on Africa's economic future and advancing intra-Africa trade. The 33rd edition is expected to attract Heads of State, government ministers, central bank governors, business leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, private sector investors, and development partners. The programme will include policy discussions, plenary sessions, business and investment forums, deal-signing ceremonies, major announcements, networking events, bilateral meetings, and forums on intra-African trade and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Presentations will cover trade finance, industrialization, energy, infrastructure, and digital transformation.
About Afreximbank
Afreximbank is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. Over 30 years, it has deployed innovative financing solutions to support trade transformation, industrialization, and regional trade. It is a key supporter of the AfCFTA, having launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and established a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund. As of December 2025, its total assets and contingencies exceeded US$48.5 billion, with shareholder funds of US$8.4 billion. The Bank holds investment grade ratings from CCXI (AAA), GCR (A), JCR (A-), and Moody's (Baa2). It operates as a group entity including the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA) and AfrexInsure, and is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
