Egypt will host the 33rd annual meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) from June 21 to 24, 2026, in El-Alamein. Organized under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, the event will focus on the theme: “Intra-African Trade and Industrialisation: Pathway to Economic Sovereignty.”
According to the bank, these meetings are expected to bring together heads of state, public officials, central bank governors, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners to discuss intra-African trade, industrialization, and economic transformation of the continent.
The preparations were presented on May 13, 2026, during a press briefing at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Egypt in Cairo, in the presence of its governor Hassan Abdalla and Afreximbank President George Elombi. Both officials highlighted the role of the assemblies as a platform for dialogue on trade finance, regional integration, and reform of the international financial architecture for the benefit of emerging economies. George Elombi also emphasized the need to accelerate intra-African trade, industrialization, and the development of regional value chains in a more uncertain global environment.
Egypt aims to strengthen its regional positioning
For Cairo, hosting these assemblies is also part of a strategy to consolidate its role as a regional financial and business hub. Hassan Abdalla stated that hosting the event reflected Egypt’s commitment to African economic integration, sustainable development, and expanding trade on the continent. The press briefing also highlighted the expected benefits for Egyptian businesses, investors, the conference sector, and tourism in El-Alamein.
Afreximbank indicated that it had provided around $9.5 billion in financing to Egypt over the past three years. George Elombi also mentioned the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) project in the new administrative capital, a project valued at $250 million, presented as a lever for trade facilitation, payments, logistics, and SME development. He also mentioned the proposed Pan-African Gold Bank project, aimed at structuring African gold value chains, strengthening central bank reserves, and reducing the continent’s dependence on external refining and trading centers.
According to the organizers, the AAM2026 program will include discussions on economic policy, investment forums, signing ceremonies, bilateral meetings, and sessions focusing on the AfCFTA, trade finance, energy, infrastructure, industrialization, and digital transformation. Afreximbank presents this event as a framework to identify priority projects and operational programs to support African economic integration.
