AAM2025: Stakeholders highlight Afreximbank’s impact in health security
By Vivian Ihechu
Political and Industry leaders have underscored African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) pivotal role in supporting African countries in the areas of health security.
They spoke at the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to them, the institution has played critical role especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing medical infrastructure challenges through the Africa Medical Center of Excellence (AMCE).
The theme, “Building the Future on Decades of Resilience”, informs the institution’s continued endeavours to transform trade, attract investment and unlock economic prosperity for Africa.
The Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank, Mr Denys Denya, highlighted the institution’s strategic interventions during global health and economic crises.
Denya said the medical center and pandemic support initiatives reflect the bank’s commitment to addressing systemic challenges facing African economies, particularly in healthcare and economic stability.
“During COVID-19, we came in with critical support mechanisms to help member states navigate unprecedented challenges’’.
“The bank introduced innovative financial instruments designed to mitigate the pandemic’s economic impact on African countries,” he said.
On medical infrastructure breakthrough, he noted that a landmark achievement was the completion of the first AMCE in Abuja, directly addressing critical healthcare infrastructure challenges.
“We completed the first Africa Medical Center of Excellence here in Abuja to address the outflow of foreign currency and medical tourism,” the executive stated.
According to him, the AMCE represents a strategic initiative to reduce Africa’s dependence on external medical services and strengthen continental healthcare capabilities.
On crisis response strategy, he noted that the bank’s approach extended beyond immediate financial support.
“During the Ukraine crisis of 2022, we introduced innovative instruments to support member states, highlighting the institution’s adaptive response to global economic disruptions.
Denya said Afreximbank’s interventions demonstrated the critical role of African financial institutions in providing counter-cyclical support during global challenges.
“We have supported the continent’s resilience by establishing innovative financial mechanisms during unprecedented times,” he noted.
Similarly, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), affirmed that Afreximbank emerged as a critical first responder during health emergency, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Afreximbank has repeatedly risen to the occasion when Africa needed it most,” Cardoso said.
He highlighted the bank’s strategic interventions in public health.
“The bank’s commitment to healthcare reached a pinnacle with the launch of AMCE, a groundbreaking initiative developed in partnership with King’s College London,” he said.
He said that Prof. Benedict Oramah, the bank’s President, described this as realising a decade-long dream to bring world-class medical facilities to the continent.
He noted that the centre representd a transformative approach to addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges, showcasing the bank’s resilience and forward-thinking strategy.
In his message, Mr Samaila Zubairu, African Finance Corporation (AFC) President and the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance of African Financial Institution (AAMF), lauded the bank’s commitment to healthcare development.
According to him, the institution is spearheading transformative health infrastructure programmes across the continent.
“We are together building the African Medical Center of Excellence.
“The initiative aims to strengthen medical facilities and improve healthcare access for millions of Africans.
“The bank’s approach goes beyond traditional financing, seeking to create comprehensive healthcare solutions that support economic development.
“By investing in medical infrastructure, Afreximbank is addressing critical gaps in the continent’s healthcare system.
“Our most important goal is to create transformational projects that will move and transform Africa.
“This initiative represents a significant step toward improving healthcare resilience and capacity across Africa, with potential long-term economic and social benefits, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma