Cairo, Egypt – Na Saturday wey just pass, African Multilateral Finance Institution, Afreximbank, gather plenty big men and women for a grand event to swear in their new president, George Elombi. The man don take over from Benedict Oramah, wey don dey run the bank before am. Na Wale Edun, wey be chairman of the Meeting and also Nigeria’s Finance Minister, carry out the oath-swapping ceremony. No be small matter, as over 2,000 people show face, including heads of state, business moguls, and other dignitaries wey sabi serious things!
As he dey talk for his inaugural address, Mr. Elombi steady talk say e go carry Afreximbank waka forward with plenty plans to impact Africa. He knack us with small gist say di global trade structure no dey favor Africa at all. He insist say na to change dis structure wey dey depend on just exporting raw materials, saying, “Our mission na to transform di structure of dat trade. We go produce, we go process, before we fit trade well-well.” (Abeg, make dem no just dey send cassava abroad like say we no fit turn am to flour!)
Elombi dey prioritize sectors wey go boost Africa trade and well-being for di next five to ten years. Him talk say dem go create high-impact financing window wey go focus on projects wey dey process raw minerals to finished goods. “If we no fit process am, how we go fit chop?” He sharply add say dis new programme go help to create skills and jobs wey dey in-house.
Di man also no forget to mention say dem go emphasize intra-African trade and regional integration like water wey dey flow. Him talk say dem go work to break down di borders wey dey stop goods, services, and capital from moving freely across di continent. “We go intensify efforts to make everywhere dey open for trade,” he talk, sounding like say him dey rally for better days ahead.
Elombi no take am easy too, as e plan to use innovation and digital tech for dem work. E talk about di idea of creating a Pan-African Digital Currency like sey e dey collect ideas from Silicon Valley! Plus, e go focus on building strong partnerships because dem sabi say na together dem go fit run things better. “We fit no do am alone, collaboration na di key,” him clear us. (If only more people fit understand dis hin!)
As the event dey go on, other great speakers like Hassan Abdalla from Egypt Central Bank, Aliko Dangote of Dangote Group, and several ministers from different African countries also share their thoughts. No be small gisting dem dey enjoy for this investiture event!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
