By Kepher Otieno
In a strategic leadership transition set to mark a new era for African trade and economic development, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the appointment of Dr. George Elombi as its next President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
His appointment will take effect in September 2025.
The decision, made by the Bank’s shareholders, signals continuity and confidence in internal leadership, with Dr. Elombi—an accomplished Cameroonian national—bringing nearly three decades of institutional experience to the helm.
Having joined Afreximbank in 1996, Dr. Elombi has risen through the organization’s ranks, most recently serving as Executive Vice President in charge of Governance, Legal, and Corporate Services.
He succeeds Professor Benedict Oramah, who has served as President since 2015. Under Prof. Oramah’s tenure, Afreximbank experienced significant growth, deepened its continental footprint, and became a pivotal force in shaping Africa’s trade and economic sovereignty.
Dr. Elombi is widely regarded as an architect of the Bank’s institutional and legal framework. His tenure has been marked by a strong commitment to expanding Afreximbank’s capital base, navigating complex regulatory environments, and spearheading high-stakes crisis response initiatives across Africa and the Caribbean.
These include key contributions to the Bank’s pandemic-era interventions, the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and policy reforms to boost intra-African trade.
His appointment comes at a critical juncture for the continent, where challenges like global supply chain disruptions, climate risks, and capital access disparities continue to impact economic resilience.
Stakeholders view Dr. Elombi’s legal acumen, strategic insight, and long-standing dedication to Afreximbank’s mission as essential for the Bank’s next growth phase.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Elombi reflected on the gravity and promise of his new role, stating.
“I see Afreximbank as a force for industrialising Africa and for regaining the dignity of Africans wherever they are.”
With his appointment, Afreximbank is poised to deepen its impact as a pan-African institution, championing the continent’s transformation through innovative financing, policy advocacy, and trade development.
About Afreximbank:
Headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, Afreximbank is a pan-African multilateral financial institution with a mandate to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. Since its establishment in 1993, the Bank has been at the forefront of efforts to accelerate Africa’s economic integration and industrial transformation.
