President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja, marking a significant milestone in promoting intra-African trade and economic integration. Represented by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tinubu emphasized that the AATC symbolizes a collective commitment to advancing trade across the continent.
The $120 million facility, whose construction commenced in November 2021 and concluded within 41 months, is designed to serve as a multifunctional business complex. It will support trade facilitation, capacity building, and investment promotion—key pillars of Africa’s economic transformation.
Tinubu highlighted the AATC’s alignment with Nigeria’s strategic priorities, particularly in job creation, economic diversification, and regional integration. He called upon governments across Africa to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses by enhancing their access to finance and markets, and by leveraging digital technology to streamline cross-border trade.
Afreximbank President, Professor Benedict Oramah, reaffirmed the bank’s vision to dismantle trade barriers and promote African market integration. He noted that the AATC in Abuja is the first of several such centers planned across Africa and the Caribbean, aiming to facilitate investment flows and deepen trade integration.
