Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant move to enhance regional integration and boost intra-African trade, Afreximbank has officially launched the Africa Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja with a $120 million investment. The facility, completed in just 41 months, is designed to serve as a digital gateway for businesses across Africa and the Caribbean, facilitating trade and investment.
The AATC will provide a range of services, including:
- A technology incubation hub
- An SME incubation facility
- A Digital Africa Trade Gateway
- Conference and exhibition spaces
Afreximbank’s President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, highlighted the centre’s potential to reshape Africa’s economic landscape and significantly enhance Nigeria’s role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Over the past decade, Afreximbank has invested $50 billion in Nigeria, supporting various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, and healthcare.
The launch event was attended by notable figures, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who expressed strong support for the centre’s mission to advance inter-African trade and economic integration. The Nigerian government aims to leverage this initiative to create jobs and empower SMEs and women-led businesses.
Looking ahead, Afreximbank plans to expand its network of trade centres, with the next opening scheduled for Harare, Zimbabwe, in August 2025, followed by locations in Kampala, Uganda, Cairo, Egypt, and Yaoundé, Cameroon.
This initiative marks a pivotal step in enhancing Nigeria’s trade capabilities and fostering economic growth across the continent.
