The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reiterated its commitment to channeling private capital into Africa’s productive sectors, with a focus on accelerating industrialisation, trade expansion, and infrastructure development across the continent.
This reaffirmation came during a high-level panel discussion at the Invest in Senegal Forum, held from 7–8 October 2025 in Dakar and officially opened by His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal.
Representing Afreximbank, Mr. Haytham ElMaayergi, Executive Vice President, joined an eminent panel of policymakers and regional leaders, including Mr. Abdourahmane Sarr, Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation; Mr. Cheikh Diba, Minister of Finance and Budget; and Mr. Abdoulaye Diop, President of the Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). The session focused on the theme:
“Private Capital and Productive Investments: How to Direct Financing Towards the Real Economy.”
Afreximbank’s Integrated Approach to Financing Transformation
Speaking during the session, Mr. ElMaayergi outlined Afreximbank’s integrated approach to reducing Africa’s high cost of capital and redirecting funding into sectors that drive tangible economic growth — notably infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and export-oriented industries.
He explained that Africa continues to face a “double penalty” — the dual challenge of high risk perception and limited value addition, which often deters investment and slows industrial progress. To overcome these barriers, he emphasized the importance of strong project preparation, innovative financing instruments, and strategic partnerships between public and private institutions.
“Afreximbank is bridging critical investment gaps across the continent through mechanisms that de-risk projects and make them attractive to long-term investors,” Mr. ElMaayergi said.
“We are building structures that turn Africa’s potential into bankable opportunities, ensuring that private capital flows to where it matters most — the real economy.”
Innovative Financial Solutions for Development Impact
Mr. ElMaayergi elaborated on several Afreximbank initiatives designed to support productive investments and inclusive growth. These include:
- Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA): an equity investment platform that provides patient capital to high-impact, export-oriented businesses.
- AFTRAF (Afreximbank Trade Facilitation Programme): a facility that supports trade finance and risk participation for African financial institutions.
- Supply Chain Finance (SCF): designed to strengthen working capital flows and enhance value chains across industries.
- Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) – The Africa Club: a collaborative platform that brings together development finance institutions (DFIs), investors, and regional banks to co-finance transformative projects.
- Match Funding and Repack Structures: innovative co-financing models that pool capital and reduce funding costs for strategic projects.
He highlighted how these instruments collectively help reduce Africa’s financing constraints while catalysing private sector-led industrialisation.
Partnerships and Regional Engagement
Reiterating Afreximbank’s commitment to regional collaboration, Mr. ElMaayergi encouraged governments, private investors, and financial institutions to leverage the Afreximbank Abidjan Regional Office and the Africa Trade Gateway Team as strategic platforms for engagement and project coordination.
“Africa’s real economy will thrive when we combine our efforts — from governments and financiers to entrepreneurs and innovators,” he noted.
“Our mission is to make Africa investment-ready by supporting sound project design, innovative funding structures, and cross-border partnerships.”
Forum Highlights: Mobilising Capital for Sustainable Growth
The Invest in Senegal Forum 2025 brought together heads of state, ministers, investors, and financial institutions to explore ways of driving private investment into Africa’s real economy. Discussions centred on creating enabling environments for private sector participation, promoting regional value chains, and reducing dependence on primary commodity exports.
With its strong focus on industrialisation, trade integration, and sustainable financing, Afreximbank’s participation underscored the Bank’s central role in promoting Africa’s economic self-reliance and trade-led growth.
The event concluded with calls for deeper cooperation between African countries, regional bodies, and global investors to ensure that capital inflows directly contribute to job creation, export expansion, and inclusive prosperity.
About Afreximbank:
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution established in 1993 to finance, promote, and expand intra- and extra-African trade. The Bank combines both private and public sector partnerships to drive industrialisation and value addition across the continent.
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