The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has inaugurated the African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja, positioning Nigeria’s capital as the epicentre and a strategic hub for intra-African trade and regional economic cooperation.
This state-of-the-art facility is designed to drive trade intelligence, policy innovation, and enterprise collaboration. Its launch underscores Afreximbank’s commitment to breaking down trade barriers and fast-tracking the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking at Thursday’s inauguration, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, hailed the AATC as “a milestone for Nigeria and the entire continent.” He emphasized the centre’s alignment with the Tinubu administration’s economic priorities, macroeconomic stability, industrial expansion, and private sector investment.
“This is not just a building, it’s a bold leap toward a more integrated African economy,” Edun said. “It reflects our resolve to build strong institutions that power innovation, enterprise, and trade.”
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, highlighted the AATC’s potential to generate jobs, support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and promote financial inclusion, especially for women-led businesses.
“The AATC will be central to our efforts to diversify the economy, empower local industries, and unlock new engines of growth,” Akume said. “It places Nigeria at the forefront of regional trade and economic leadership.”
Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah reaffirmed the bank’s pan-African agenda, noting that the Abuja facility joins a growing network of centres in Harare, Kampala, Cairo, and Yaoundé.
“The African Trade Centre is more than a vision—it is a platform for action,” Oramah said. “We are creating spaces where African businesses can access the tools, data, and networks they need to thrive and collaborate.”
With its launch, the AATC not only elevates Abuja’s role in Africa’s economic transformation but also symbolizes a broader shift toward continental cooperation and enterprise-driven development.
As operations commence, hopes are high that the centre will become a catalyst for AfCFTA’s long-envisioned goals—boosting cross-border trade, empowering businesses, and enhancing economic resilience.
If the vision unfolds as intended, the AATC could become a model for how African nations collaborate, trade, and prosper together in the decades ahead.
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