{"id":7426,"date":"2026-06-29T11:10:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T11:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stakebridgeirpr.com\/media\/?p=7426"},"modified":"2026-06-29T11:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T11:10:25","slug":"afreximbank-urges-africa-to-rebuild-trade-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stakebridgeirpr.com\/media\/afreximbank-urges-africa-to-rebuild-trade-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Afreximbank Urges Africa To Rebuild Trade Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Kingsley Ani<\/strong><\/p>\n

Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Mr. Haytham El Maayergi, has urged African economies to accelerate industrialisation, deepen intra-African trade and expand value-added production as shifting geopolitical alliances, rising protectionism and global market fragmentation redefine international trade. Speaking during the Invest Africa \u2013 Africa Debate Session on Navigating a New Trade Paradigm, El Maayergi argued that the changing global trade environment presents Africa with an opportunity to strengthen regional value chains, leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and capture greater value from the continent’s resources. Africa’s trade reached US$1.5 trillion in 2024, providing a larger commercial base for structural transformation.<\/p>\n

DECISION HIGHLIGHT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Afreximbank is repositioning Africa’s response to global trade disruption from defensive adaptation towards proactive industrialisation, regional integration and value-chain development anchored on the AfCFTA.<\/p>\n

DECISION MEMO <\/strong><\/p>\n

The changing global trade order is increasingly reducing the reliability of traditional export markets while creating incentives for regional production and diversified supply chains. Rather than viewing this transition solely as a geopolitical risk, Afreximbank is presenting it as an opportunity for Africa to redesign its trade architecture.<\/p>\n

The institution’s position reflects a shift from export dependence towards productive integration. Instead of competing primarily as a supplier of raw materials, African economies are being encouraged to develop manufacturing capacity, expand value addition and retain a greater share of economic value within the continent.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the debate session, El Maayergi emphasised the importance of accelerating industrialisation, expanding value-added production and deepening intra-African trade as Africa adapts to a rapidly evolving global trading environment.<\/p>\n

According to Afreximbank, as traditional trade patterns shift and global markets become increasingly fragmented, Africa has an opportunity to strengthen regional value chains, attract investment and unlock the full potential of the AfCFTA.<\/p>\n

The discussion also highlighted that stronger trade performance will depend on more than tariff liberalisation. Participants identified strategic partnerships, trade-enabling infrastructure and long-term investment as the institutional foundations required to build a more resilient, competitive and globally connected African economy.<\/p>\n

The underlying implication is that external trade uncertainty may accelerate rather than weaken African economic integration. As developed markets become more protectionist, the commercial value of larger regional markets, integrated supply chains and cross-border manufacturing increases.<\/p>\n

For Afreximbank, the challenge is therefore no longer simply expanding trade volumes, but transforming the composition of African trade from commodity exports towards higher-value industrial production capable of competing within regional and global markets.<\/p>\n

DATA BOX<\/strong><\/p>\n