The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will place industrialisation at the centre of Africa’s growth strategy when it convenes its 33rd Annual Meetings in El Alamein, Egypt, as the continent seeks to reduce external dependence amid rising global uncertainty.
The meetings, themed “Intra-African Trade and Industrialisation: Pathway to Economic Sovereignty,” come against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical alliances, trade protectionism and supply chain disruptions, which are forcing African economies to rethink their reliance on commodity exports and external markets.
Afreximbank said the gathering, scheduled from June 21 to 24, will bring together heads of state, policymakers, private sector leaders, financial institutions and development partners to identify priority projects and actionable programmes aimed at transforming Africa’s trade structure and accelerating industrial growth.
“For the past decade, Afreximbank has laid a solid foundation for intra-African trade to take off,” said George Elombi, president and chairman of the board of directors of the bank. “As we enter this new phase, we must prioritise the processing of goods to be traded under the Free Trade Agreement.”
Elombi said the current global environment, marked by policy uncertainty and intensifying geopolitical tensions, makes it imperative for African countries to look inward for solutions. “We must wean ourselves off trade in commodities, expand investment in processing, build regional value chains, and consume our products to realise the growth and shared prosperity we want,” he said.
The focus on industrialisation reflects a broader push to deepen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent. Despite progress, trade within Africa remains low compared to other regions, constrained by infrastructure gaps, limited financing and fragmented value chains.
Afreximbank said the annual meetings will serve as a platform for high-level dialogue and deal-making, enabling participants to access capital, structure partnerships and advance bankable projects across sectors critical to industrial transformation.
Egypt, which is hosting the event, said the meetings underscore its commitment to supporting regional integration and advancing Africa’s development agenda.
“As the host country, Egypt is honoured to welcome distinguished delegates to the 33rd Annual Meetings,” said Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt. “At a time of increasing global uncertainty and shifting economic dynamics, Egypt’s strategic location and economic scale position it as a key driver of regional integration and advancing continental priorities.”
He added that hosting the meetings in El Alamein reflects Egypt’s continued support for African institutions working to strengthen intra-African trade and promote long-term economic transformation.
Afreximbank said the event will provide a platform for stakeholders across the value chain to engage with decision-makers, gain insights into trade finance and logistics, and explore investment opportunities, as the continent seeks to build a more integrated, industrialised and economically sovereign future.
The meetings are expected to reinforce calls for Africa to move beyond raw material exports toward value-added production, as policymakers and industry leaders increasingly see industrialisation as critical to achieving sustainable growth, resilience and economic independence.
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