Nigeria has asserted its position as a regional economic leader at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja, where Finance Minister Wale Edun outlined the nation’s rising influence in trade, finance, and industrial growth.
Speaking to top delegates from across Africa and the diaspora, Edun revealed that Nigeria has secured over $52 billion in financing from Afreximbank, channelled into key sectors including energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and SME growth.
Major projects include the Africa Trade Centre, the African Medical Centre of Excellence, and the proposed $5 billion Africa Energy Bank—set to be headquartered in Abuja.
“We are not just participating in a summit. We are advancing a shared vision for Africa’s prosperity, with Nigeria playing a leading role in its delivery,” Edun said.
He also emphasized Nigeria’s recent adoption of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), describing it as transformative for intra-African trade.
The system enables businesses to conduct cross-border transactions in local currencies, easing FX pressures and fostering a stable trade environment.
Praising Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah’s leadership, Edun encouraged Nigerian entrepreneurs to fully leverage instruments like FEDA, AQAC, and CANEX to access broader markets and scale regional impact.
“The infrastructure is growing. The moment is now for Nigeria’s private sector to go bigger, bolder, and regional,” Edun urged.
With strategic partnerships and bold financial moves, Nigeria is firmly positioning itself as a central driver of Africa’s economic transformation.
