Abidjan is hosting the 25th edition of the Afreximbank Trade Finance Seminar from November 4th to 7th, an essential event that brings together bankers, investors, and experts to drive economic growth and diversification in Africa.
The 2025 Trade Finance Seminar, organized by Afreximbank from November 4th to 7th in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, marks its 25th anniversary. A true powerhouse for networking, the forum aims to train African banks, define investment steps, and support institutions in navigating economic climates in a context where the trade financing deficit exceeds USD 100 billion per year.
I would therefore like to invite you to make the most of these exchanges, to share your experiences, to create synergies, and to formulate bold proposals, for it is from your deliberations that the solutions which will shape the future of African trade will emerge.
Under the theme “Trade Finance in the Era of Perfectionism: Adapting to the Reshuffling of Global Alliances,” the forum positions itself as a strategic platform to target trade finance opportunities on the continent. By hosting this 25th edition of the ATFS, Abidjan establishes itself as the financial hub of West Africa. It is noteworthy that in 2024, intra-African trade grew by 12.4%, reaching over USD 220 billion, a strong sign of the regional dynamism this seminar aims to consolidate.
Our presence here shows that we are ready to act, to lead, and to invest in the infrastructure and partnerships that enable practical and measurable improvements. Africa is richly endowed with natural resources, from minerals to hydrocarbons to agricultural products, and offers increasing value-added opportunities in the fields of energy, metals, and logistics.
For several years, the BCEAO Central Bank has been working to create a regulatory framework conducive to the development of new financing instruments. I believe this aligns with the expectations expressed by the Managing Director.
Through this event, Afreximbank reaffirms its commitment to a self-reliant and industrialized Africa. The continent recorded a 13.9% growth in its merchandise trade, reaching USD 1.5 trillion in 2024. By focusing on training, cooperation, and financing for SMEs, the 2025 Trade Finance Seminar aims to transform this progress into sustainable development.