The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has renewed its call for stronger trade finance systems and deeper collaboration among African financial institutions, stressing that the continent’s vast wealth in resources can only translate into real progress through responsible and well-structured financing.
Speaking at the opening of the 25th Afreximbank Trade Finance Seminar (ATFS) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Ms. Gwen Mwaba, Managing Director for Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking at Afreximbank, painted a vivid picture of Africa’s potential, one rich in minerals, hydrocarbons, and agricultural commodities, yet still constrained by weak financial structures.
“Africa is richly endowed with natural resources such as minerals, hydrocarbons, agricultural commodities, and a growing array of value-added opportunities across energy, metals, and logistics,” she said. “These resources present immense potential for development when they are financed responsibly, efficiently, and with rigorous risk management.”
Ms. Mwaba underscored the importance of investing in people, especially skilled financial professionals, to shape the continent’s trade future. In her words, “Well-trained bankers with sophisticated deal-structuring capabilities can tailor financing to capital-intensive value chains and align project finance with local development needs and environmental safeguards.”
She likened trade finance to the “lifeblood” of commerce and job creation, urging that it must flow steadily to the firms that need it most and ensure its benefits are broadly shared.
The Abidjan event attracted senior officials from Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Trade, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), and the local Bankers Association, a clear sign of the growing regional commitment to building resilient financial systems.
This year’s edition of the Afreximbank Trade Finance Seminar marks a major milestone: a quarter-century of empowering African bankers, lenders and policymakers. Since its inception, the programme has become one of the continent’s strongest capacity-building platforms, equipping financial professionals with the tools to structure and deliver complex trade finance deals.
Ms. Mwaba also reflected on Afreximbank’s broader work over the past three decades, noting that the Bank has built a strong portfolio that supports regional integration, value addition and job creation. She highlighted Afreximbank’s leadership in offering innovative financing for export sectors and infrastructure, introducing risk-sharing and credit enhancement tools to attract private capital, and embedding sustainability into project finance across Africa.
Running from November 4 to 6, this year’s seminar focuses on the theme “Strengthening Trade Finance Capabilities for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Africa.” It brings together bankers, policymakers, and fintech players to explore how digitalisation, technology, data and transparency can redefine trade finance in an increasingly volatile global economy.
As the discussions in Abidjan unfold, Ms. Mwaba expressed optimism that the ideas shared would move beyond theory to create tangible results, helping Africa build stronger, more inclusive trade finance systems that work for its people.
The seminar will be followed by a one-day Factoring Workshop on November 7.
