Caribbean leaders to join African counterparts at Afreximbank’s high-level annual meetings in Nigeria

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will host its 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja, Nigeria from 25–27 June 2025, with a powerful showing of global, African, and Caribbean leadership set to converge for one of the most influential trade and development gatherings on the continent.

Among those attending are several Heads of State, Prime Ministers, ministers, central bank governors, and industry leaders from across Africa and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), reinforcing the growing economic ties between the two regions. Caribbean representation will include former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, who joins a stellar speaker lineup of global economists, academics, and business leaders.

Held under the theme “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”, AAM2025 comes at a time of renewed urgency and opportunity for trade and development. The meetings will focus on practical strategies to accelerate intra-African and Africa-CARICOM trade, unlock investment, and foster innovation amid global uncertainty.

President of Nigeria, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will headline the event alongside former President H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and H.E. Ambassador Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry & Mining. Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board, Professor Benedict Oramah, will also play a key role in the proceedings.

Professor Oramah highlighted the strategic importance of the event:

“AAM2025 comes at a pivotal time for Africa. As the continent confronts global uncertainties, it is doing so with renewed resolve. Following the successful 31st edition of AAM held in The Bahamas last year, we are back on the African continent to catalyse practical action—building stronger institutions to strengthen trade integration and unlocking the full potential of African innovation.”

The speaker lineup features globally recognised thinkers such as Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, and Dr. Kishore Mahbubani of the National University of Singapore. Africa’s top private sector giants, Mr. Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group) and Mr. Tony Elumelu (Heirs Holdings), will also share insights alongside distinguished academic Professor Ghulam Mufti of King’s College London.

AAM2025 is expected to result in the signing of major trade and investment agreements, including public-private partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that could unlock billions of dollars in funding over the next decade. The meetings will further policy coordination to advance the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), strengthen cross-border payment systems, and deepen Africa–CARICOM economic ties through joint ventures in tourism, trade and transport.

Importantly, the presence of Caribbean leaders and decision-makers builds on the momentum from last year’s meetings held in The Bahamas, which for the first time brought Afreximbank’s annual forum to the Caribbean region.

With over 80 countries represented and thousands of participants and media expected, AAM2025 is poised to shape high-level discourse, influence policy reforms, and promote inclusive development across the Global South.

More information and the full programme are available at www.aam2025.com.