The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Maritime Development Bank, Mr Adeniran Aderogba, has commended Professor Benedict Oramah for his exemplary leadership and 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 from 2015 to 2025.
In a statement on Sunday, 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.
He described Oramah 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. 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 stated.
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.”
According to him, Afreximbank, whose first financing deal in Nigeria was valued at $10m, 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.
The RMDB boss highlighted that key sectors impacted by Afreximbank’s interventions included telecommunications, the financial sector, hospitality, oil and gas, maritime and transportation, among others.
Aderogba further emphasised Afreximbank’s pivotal role under Oramah’s leadership in promoting intra-African trade, supporting industrialisation, and advancing strategic continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Looking ahead, Aderogba stated that he is eager to continue the collaboration with Professor Oramah’s successor, Dr George Elombi, whom he has known for almost three decades and described as one who exemplifies the can-do ethos of Afreximbank.
GIK/APA