Dakar, October 2025 – On the sidelines of the Invest in Senegal 2025 Forum held in the Senegalese capital, Haytham El Maayergi, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank in charge of the Global Trade Bank, praised the strength of the business climate in Senegal. According to this experienced banker, “Senegal is an attractive destination for investment.”
Stability, security, and regulatory clarity: the keys to attractiveness
According to Mr. El Maayergi, Senegal has several decisive advantages for international investors.
“Stability and security are essential parameters for any investor,” he emphasizes, adding that the clarity of the regulatory framework enhances the confidence of economic partners.
As a key player in financing African trade and investments, Afreximbank supports operators “from project evaluation to return on investment.”
“Investors have several options. Once they have chosen a country, it is important to ensure it is bankable and assess the risk. As a bank, this is our job,” he explains.
Financial instruments to “de-risk” projects
To reduce risk and attract more capital, Afreximbank mobilizes several innovative tools.
“We use instruments such as repack insurance or guarantees to provide more comfort to banks and lenders,” Mr. El Maayergi specifies.
The banker also points out that certain African countries, including Senegal, promote special economic zones that facilitate transactions and the mobilization of financing.
“We have various investment and trade support products tailored to each stage of the value chain,” he adds.
Close partnerships with local banks
On the ground, Afreximbank relies on cooperation with local banks, which have a better understanding of domestic risk.
“We support local banks, as sometimes they have many projects but are limited by their capital ratios. Whether through risk confirmation or credit lines, we strengthen their capacity to act,” he explains.
And to conclude:
“We need strong local and multilateral banks to meet the demand for investment. The more capital and liquidity they have, the more dynamic the financing cycle becomes.”
Senegal 2050 plan, an inspiring vision
Praising the Senegal 2050 Vision, Mr. El Maayergi emphasized the relevance of the priorities set by the President of the Republic.
“We listened to the President of Senegal talk about energy, especially green energy, education, and human capital. These are essential areas that fully align with our mandate. We share his conviction: without skills, there can be no sustainable development.”
