African Heads of States, Caribbean and global business leaders are expected to gather in Abuja Nigeria next week for the 32nd Annual Meetings of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The meeting will also bring together top business executives, as well as an influential coalition of global, African, and CARICOM leaders in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 25–27, 2025.

This high-level forum will focus on advancing trade, investment, and innovation across the continent, with Heads of State, Prime Ministers, top business executives, academics and acclaimed academics confirmed to speak.

The Afreximbank’s 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja are expected to deliver strong economic benefits, both in the short and long term.

The main anticipated impacts include the trade and investment mobilisation, policy and institutional advancement and strengthening South-South cooperation and trade flows.

Held under the theme “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”, AAM2025 will focus on accelerating trade opportunities, driving investment, and fostering innovation.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Ambassador Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry & Mining, are among the confirmed dignitaries.

They will be joined by ministers, central bank governors, investors, and industry leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Gathering of  Global Business Icons

The Annual Meeting will bring together Africa’s foremost business innovation leaders such as Aliko Dangote, President & CEO of Dangote Group and Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings.

The speaker lineup includes Professor Ghulam Mufti of King’s College London, former Prime Minister of Jamaica P.J. Patterson, and other influential figures.

AAM2025 is also expected to facilitate significant trade and investment deals, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and public-private partnerships.

The meetings are expected to catalyse billions of dollars in funding over the next 5–10 years for key strategic sectors.

Trade Facilitation and Deals

According to Afreximbank, bringing together heads of state, ministers, leaders of trade institutions, policymakers and the private sector, the meetings will advance regional dialogue on several priorities.

One can talk about implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), enhancing cross-border payment systems to speed up regional transactions, strengthening Africa–Caribbean (CARICOM) economic ties through expanded trade, tourism, and joint ventures, and ensuring private sector participation in policy reforms.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) said these discussions aim to reduce business costs, improve trade infrastructure, and deepen regional economic integration.

“With world-renowned economists, scholars, and entrepreneurs participating, AAM2025 will shape thought leadership on Africa’s development path”, It added.

 It also revealed that “Platforms like this will influence policy, shift narratives, and inspire reforms that foster innovation, inclusion, and competitiveness”.

This year’s meetings will also mark the launch of several new initiatives.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, pointed out that “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 for this year’s meetings, which are about catalysing practical action”, he concluded.