President Bola Tinubu today inaugurated the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja, marking a significant milestone in continental economic integration efforts. Represented by SGF George Akume, the President described the facility as critical to realizing Africa’s $3.4 trillion trade potential under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The 9-story twin-tower complex in the Central Business District will serve as:
- Afreximbank’s permanent regional headquarters
- Digital trade gateway linking African/Caribbean markets
- SME and tech incubation hub
- Conference/exhibition venue with virtual connectivity to global trade centers
“With $20 billion already disbursed for intra-African trade, we’re committed to doubling this by 2026,” said Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah, revealing upcoming centers in Harare (August 2025), Kampala (2026), Cairo and Yaoundé.
Trade Minister Jumoke Oduwole emphasized the center’s role in empowering women entrepreneurs and youth innovators, stating: “This is our platform to transition from trade participants to global leaders.”
The project aligns with Tinubu’s 8-point agenda, particularly job creation and economic diversification, while supporting Nigeria’s strategic position in the 1.3 billion-person AfCFTA market. The facility features real-time digital connectivity to sister centers in New York and Barbados.
