In a major leadership transition, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the appointment of George Elombi as its incoming President and Chairman of the Board. The decision was unveiled during the bank’s 32nd Annual General Meetings, which took place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 25 to 28.
Elombi, a seasoned Cameroonian executive and long-time insider, will officially take over the reins in September 2025, succeeding Prof. Benedict Oramah, who has led the institution since 2015.
According to a statement released on Saturday, Elombi will become the fourth President of Afreximbank since its founding in 1993.
With nearly 30 years of experience at the bank, Elombi has climbed the leadership ladder starting as a Legal Officer in 1996 and most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Governance, Legal and Corporate Services. His career at Afreximbank spans a number of key positions including Executive Secretary, Chief Legal Officer, and Director of Legal Services.
Before joining the bank, Elombi was a law lecturer at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. He holds a Ph.D. in commercial arbitration and an LL.M. from the London School of Economics, as well as a Maitrise-en-Droit from the University of Yaoundé.
The bank credited Elombi for being instrumental in building the structural foundation of the Afreximbank Group, including spearheading the establishment of crucial subsidiaries that broadened its operational capacity.
He also led the Bank’s Emergency Response Committee, which secured over $2 billion for COVID-19 vaccine procurement and distribution across African and Caribbean countries. Under his supervision of the Equity Mobilisation and Investor Relations Department, Afreximbank mobilised an impressive $3.6 billion in ordinary equity as of April 2025.
Reacting to his appointment, Elombi expressed a strong commitment to Afreximbank’s strategic vision and Pan-African mission.
“I have worked alongside remarkable colleagues and extraordinary leaders to help shape this institution’s vision and mandate,” he said.
“As we look ahead, I envision Afreximbank as a catalyst for Africa’s industrialisation and a defender of African dignity globally. I will strive to safeguard and build on this vital legacy.”
Looking to the future, Afreximbank confirmed that Elombi has embraced the ambitious target set by Oramah to transform the institution into a $250 billion bank within the next decade.
This historic appointment signals continuity, experience, and a renewed focus on accelerating Africa’s economic transformation.
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