Afreximbank Opens Abuja African Trade Centre to Boost Intra-Africa Business
Afreximbank has officially launched its first African Trade Centre in Abuja, Nigeria, in a major move to grow trade and investment within Africa. The Abuja Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) is the first of seven such centres planned across the continent, designed to support regional economic integration, business growth, and innovation.
The centre was inaugurated during a grand ceremony attended by several dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr George Akume. Other notable guests included leading African policymakers and entrepreneurs such as Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu.
Dr Akume highlighted the centre’s importance in advancing Africa’s trade agenda, calling it a symbol of unity, resilience, and strategic planning. He said the centre would serve as a hub for trade facilitation, skill development, and investment promotion, aligned with Nigeria’s goals of job creation and economic growth.
What makes the Abuja AATC special?
The Abuja AATC isn’t just a building—it’s a multifunctional space created to support African trade and entrepreneurship. It houses a digital trade gateway, trade information hub, SME incubation centre, exhibition and conference facilities, and even a business hotel with 148 rooms. It also includes office spaces for financial institutions and policy organisations, creating a complete ecosystem to drive business and investment.
According to Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, the Abuja centre is just the beginning. More centres will follow in other African cities including Kampala, Cairo, Yaoundé, and Kigali. There are also plans for an AATC in Barbados—the first outside Africa—to support connections with the African diaspora.
Prof. Oramah said the Abuja AATC took over 41 months to complete and is now a permanent base for the bank’s regional office. It aims to be a lighthouse for cross-border trade and regional cooperation.
The bank’s support for intra-African trade is already visible in other initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) adjustment fund, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), and several other trade finance programmes. The AATC will strengthen these efforts, providing physical infrastructure to support African businesses in scaling and expanding across the continent.
How will African businesses benefit from the AATC?
- Access to trade information and support services
- Digital tools to help with cross-border transactions
- Incubation spaces for startups and SMEs
- Facilities for hosting trade fairs, exhibitions, and business meetings
- Networking with government bodies and financial institutions
Afreximbank has long received strong backing from the Nigerian government, and this new milestone reflects that continued partnership. The Abuja centre stands not only as a landmark project for Nigeria but also as a powerful step toward creating a more connected and prosperous Africa.
Tips and Recommendations:
- Entrepreneurs should explore the incubation facilities for startup support.
- SMEs can benefit from the trade information and digital services.
- Investors should take advantage of networking opportunities within the AATC ecosystem.
- Governments and chambers of commerce can use the space to engage in policy dialogue and collaborative trade projects.
With the launch of the Abuja AATC, Afreximbank has made a bold statement about Africa’s trade future—one that is collaborative, digital, and rooted in local capacity building.
