RMDB president hails Oramah’s Afreximbank leadership

  The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB), Mr. ‘Niran Aderogba, has commended Professor Benedict Okechukwu Oramah, for his far-reaching contributions to Africa’s trade and economic development during his tenure as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) from 2015 to 2025. […]

 

The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB), Mr. ‘Niran Aderogba, has commended Professor Benedict Okechukwu Oramah, for his far-reaching contributions to Africa’s trade and economic development during his tenure as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) from 2015 to 2025.

Aderogba noted that during his decade-long tenure, Oramah spearheaded numerous initiatives that have redefined Africa’s economic landscape and fostered intra-African trade.

According to him, Afreximbank’s balance sheet, under Oramah’s leadership, grew exponentially, solidifying the institution’s position as a pivotal player in Africa’s economic development.

 

Aderogba praised Oramah’s visionary approach, highlighting his role in launching innovative programs such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). These initiatives have been instrumental in promoting economic integration, reducing transaction costs, and enhancing Africa’s competitiveness in the global market.

 

 

 

Aderogba gave the commendation recently while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of a send-off dinner held in honour of Professor Oramah in Cairo, Egypt, lauding him as a “visionary builder, bridge-maker, and catalyst for Africa’s economic renaissance.”

 

 

 

“Professor Oramah’s decade at the helm of Afreximbank has been nothing short of transformative,” Aderogba stated.

 

 

 

“He has not only strengthened Africa’s trade financing architecture but also inspired a generation of African institutions to think boldly, collaborate deeply, and act strategically for the continent’s prosperity.”

 

 

 

Aderogba noted that having worked closely with the bank for almost three decades, “we had jointly engaged in groundbreaking, innovative, and bold financing structures for the economic emancipation of the African continent. A little acorn has grown into an oak tree.”

 

 

 

He said Afreximbank, whose first financing deal in Nigeria was valued at USD 10 million, now undertakes transactions running into billions of dollars — a remarkable milestone that underscores the bank’s growing impact in advancing economic development across the African continent.