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Afreximbank records deals worth about US$1 billion as Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) continues

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IATF2023

The Bank also announced the conclusion of cooperation agreements with the Comoros National Investment Promotion Agency (ANPI – Invest in Comoros), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), aimed at accelerating intra-African trade and investment

CAIRO, Egypt, November 13, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The third day of the third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) concluded with attendees witnessing the signing of financing and other agreements valued in excess of one billion dollars between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and several leading business entities from across the continent.

United Bank for Africa PLC – US$ 150 million

The Bank also signed a US$150-million trade finance facility agreement with United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC, under the Ukraine Crisis Adjustment Trade Financing Programme for Africa, to be utilized to finance trade and trade-related transactions in support of UBA clients to facilitate increased financing of trade businesses in various sectors of the Nigerian economy to mitigate the adverse effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Signed by Denys Denya, Executive Vice President, Finance, Administration and Banking Services, Afreximbank, and Oliver Alawuba, Managing Director of UBA PLC, the facility is expected to enhance confidence in the settlement of international trade transactions for strategic imports.

FDH Bank Malawi -ATEX – USD10M

Another facility agreement, for US$10 million, was signed with FDH Bank Malawi to support trade finance in Malawi.  Gwen Mwaba, Director, Trade Finance, signed for Afreximbank while George Chitera, Deputy Managing Director, signed for FDH Bank Malawi.

Banque Commerciale du Burundi (BANCOBU) – USD 55 Million

Under a facility agreement with Banque Commerciale du Burundi (BANCOBU), Afreximbank will provide US$55-million trade facilitation limits to BANCOBU to support importation of essential commodities, such as petroleum products, which are important for the Burundi’s trade and manufacturing sector.

Rene Awambeng, Global Head, Client Relations, signed for Afreximbank while Sylvere Bankimbaga, Deputy Managing Director, signed on behalf of BANCOBU during a ceremony witnessed by Audace Niyonzima, Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, of Burundi.

Banque de Credit de Bujumbura – US$40 Million

Afreximbank also signed an agreement under which it will provide a US$40-million AFTRAF facility to Banque de Credit de Bujumbura (BCB) to support trade finance in Burundi. Signers were Rene Awambeng, Global Head, Client Relations, for Afreximbank and Roger Guy Ghislain Ntwungeye, Managing Director, for BCB.

Exodus and Company – USD141 Million 

A term Sheet for a US$141-million intra-African investment finance facility was signed with Exodus and Company. Denys Denya, Executive Vice President, Finance, Administration and Banking Services, signed for Afreximbank while Progress Mambo, Chief Executive Officer, signed for Exodus and Company.

Ora SPV/Vista Group – Eur 140 million

Another term sheet for an EUR140-million intra-African trade investment facility was signed with Ora SPV/Vista Group for funds to be deployed in Burkina Faso. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, signed for Afreximbank while Simon Tiemtore, Chairman of Lilium Capital, signed for Ora SPV/Vista Group.

ADI SPV/Vista Bank – EUR113 million

The Bank also signed a term sheet with ADI SPV/Vista Bank for a EUR113-million facility to be deployed in Burkina Faso. The term sheet was signed by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank, and Simon Tiemtore, Chairman of Lilium Capital, for ADI SPV/Vista Bank.

IATF2023, Africa’s largest trade and investment fair, opened on 9 November and will run till 15 November 2023

Lilium Gold – US$75 Million

Another term sheet signed during the day was with Lilium Gold for a US$75-million senior debt facility for a strategic investment that will significantly enhance Burkina Faso’s mining infrastructure through the acquisition of the Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines. Helen Brume, Director, Project and Asset Based Finance, signed for Afreximbank while Simon Tiemtore, Chairman of Lilium Capital, signed for Lilium Gold.

Sapro Mayoko – US$96 million

The Bank also signed a term sheet with Sapro Mayoko for a US$96-million iron ore mine development facility in Congo. The document was signed by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank and Paul Obambi, Chief Executive Officer, for Sapro Mayoko.

International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR) – MoU

An additional document inked during the day was a memorandum of understanding with the International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR) signed by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank and Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, for ICRITR.

Anambra State – US$200 Million

Earlier on the second day of the trade fair, Afreximbank had signed a mandate letter to provide capital raise financial advisory services to the Anambra State Government of Nigeria for an estimated US$200-million facility to support the development of three major projects in the state, covering the Ikenga Mixed-Use Industrial City Project, the Anambra Export Emporium and the Akwaihedi Unubi Uga Automotive Industrial Park.

The Bank also signed an agreement to provide the state government with financial advisory services for the development of operational and governance framework for the Anambra Diaspora Fund, including capital raise financial advisory services for the Anambra Intra-City Rail Master Plan project and the Anambra Diaspora Fund. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, signed for Afreximbank while Mark Okoye, Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, signed for the state government.

Central Africa Building Society – US$40 Million

Afreximbank also signed an agreement with Central Africa Building Society (CABS), Zimbabwe’s largest building society, to provide a US$40 million line of credit to help build capacity among hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Signed by Denys Denya, Executive Vice President, Finance, Administration and Banking Services, Afreximbank, and Mehluli Mpofu, Managing Director of CABS, the agreement is for three years and is aimed at fostering the growth of the SME sector by supporting productive sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing and mining.

Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) – Heads of Terms 

The Bank signed a heads of terms agreement with Arise IIP for the implementation of African Quality Assurance Centres (AQAC) projects in Benin and Gabon. Under the heads of terms, Afreximbank will develop AQACs to offer conformity assessment services such as testing, inspection and certification services in Benin, Gabon and, possibly, other African countries in collaboration with Arise IIP within industrial parks developed by Arise to support park tenants and other industries outside to enable them meet local and export market requirements. The AQAC initiative was created by Afreximbank to support African countries to improve their capacity in complying with international standards and technical regulations so as to promote exports and facilitate intra- and extra-African trade while ensuring the safety of products for consumption in Africa.

Gagan Gupta, Founder and CEO of Arise IIP, signed for the company while Oluranti Doherty, Director of Export Development, signed for Afreximbank.

Cooperation Agreements

The Bank also announced the conclusion of cooperation agreements with the Comoros National Investment Promotion Agency (ANPI – Invest in Comoros), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), aimed at accelerating intra-African trade and investment.

The agreements, signed seek to deepen collaboration with the institutions through sharing of ideas, exchange of business-oriented information to facilitate trade and investment, business matchmaking, grants, training, technical assistance and capacity building, inter-institutional cooperation and other agreed activities.

They are intended to increase the impact of Afreximbank’s TRADAR Club, a member-driven network set up to empower international businesses and executives to transform trade and investments in Africa through trusted trade intelligence and advisory services.

IATF2023, Africa’s largest trade and investment fair, opened on 9 November and will run till 15 November 2023.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Aurionpro expands its multi-country transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB)

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April 30, 2026

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Aurionpro

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers

MUMBAI, India, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –Aurionpro Solutions Limited (www.AurionPro.com) (BSE: 532668 | NSE: AURIONPRO), a global leader in banking technology, announced the expansion and upgrade of its transaction banking engagement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), to modernize and enhance the bank’s corporate transaction banking capabilities across multiple countries.

Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/4edHUaC

This multi-country transaction banking upgrade covering Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania aligns with DTB’s intent to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and support growing transaction volumes as it expands its regional corporate banking footprint. DTB continues to focus on building a more agile, ‘digital-first’ banking experience, particularly around payments for its corporate customers across Africa, and is now well positioned to scale these capabilities. As part of its broader transformation agenda, the bank has been steadily investing in platforms that enhance scale, reliability, and service consistency across markets.

Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility

Aurionpro’s upgraded iCashpro platform for DTB delivers a unified digital experience across payments, trade, virtual accounts, and real-time reporting, enhancing straight-through processing, visibility, and control for both the bank and its corporate customers. By enabling DTB to standardize and scale its transaction banking operations across countries, the platform ensures consistent service levels, stronger control, and improved efficiency. It also supports enhanced user experience, advanced security, and the flexibility to introduce new features as DTB expands its regional transaction banking footprint.

Murali Natarajan (https://apo-opa.co/48trPdk), Managing Director & CEO, DTB Kenya   commented: “We are delighted to strengthen and broaden our partnership with Aurionpro Solutions as part of DTB’s ongoing digital transformation journey across multiple markets. Our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centricity continues to guide our technology investments. This upgrade strengthens our transaction banking capabilities, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers through robust digital channels and seamlessly integrated experiences.”

Ashish Rai, Group CEO, Aurionpro Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to deepen our multi-country engagement with Diamond Trust Bank and support the next phase of its transaction banking modernization. As DTB continues to scale across markets, platform resilience and consistency become paramount. Through this partnership, we are proud to lead the next era of transformation in transaction banking, helping DTB enhance operational agility, deliver superior experiences to corporate customers, and create long-term value across geographies.”

He added, “Aurionpro’s iCashpro lays a strong digital foundation for transaction & wholesale banks across the globe to grow their corporate and SME client portfolio today, while creating a clear roadmap for next- generation capabilities in AI-driven insights, advanced automation and API-led connectivity for businesses in Kenya and across Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Aurionpro Solutions Ltd.

 

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Minerals Council Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins African Mining Week (AMW) as South Africa Improves Sectorial Investment Climate

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April 30, 2026

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Energy Capital

Minerals Council CEO to share insights on policy, infrastructure and investment trends shaping South Africa’s mining industry

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 30, 2026/APO Group/ –The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will feature Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council of South Africa, as a speaker. Scheduled for October 14 – 16, 2026 in Cape Town, the event will bring together global investors, policymakers and industry leaders, with Mthenjane’s participation highlighting the council’s commitment to engaging international stakeholders and promoting investment across South Africa’s mining sector.

His participation comes at a critical moment as the Minerals Council works closely with government on finalizing the Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025, a policy framework aimed at strengthening the country’s mining investment climate and the sector’s contribution to GDP. According to the council, the revised legislation will support new investment across the value chain as South Africa seeks to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to unlock its critical minerals potential.

The policy reforms come amid shifting production trends in the sector. In 2025, South Africa recorded declines in gold and platinum group metals output of 1.9% and 4.1%, respectively. The new regulatory framework is expected to strengthen public-private partnerships and stimulate investment, enabling South Africa to increase production and capitalize on strong global commodity prices. Increased private sector investments is crucial with South Africa seeking targeting to unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore potential as well as maintain its position as the world’s leading producer of chrome and manganese.

At AMW 2026, Mthenjane is expected to outline these trends, providing insights into how the council is contributing to addressing challenges disrupting the sector. Infrastructure and energy costs remain key concerns for industry players. To support the energy-intensive sector, South Africa approved a 35% reduction in electricity tariffs for major ferrochrome producers, helping stabilize an industry that has faced significant cost pressures after electricity prices surged by roughly 900% since 2008.

Logistics constraints are also a priority area for reform. South Africa’s economy is losing an estimated R1 billion per day due to inefficiencies across rail and port infrastructure. As a result, the government is considering measures supported by the Minerals Council to increase private sector participation in logistics. Planned reforms include rail modernization initiatives targeting 250 million tons of freight capacity by 2029, alongside port upgrades and private operator participation aimed at strengthening mineral exports and improving supply chain efficiency.

Beyond infrastructure and policy reforms, the Minerals Council is advocating for stronger exploration investment to support long-term industry growth.

At AMW, Mthenjane is expected to highlight these developments and outline the steps required to reinforce South Africa’s position in the global minerals supply chain. His insights will offer investors and stakeholders a timely perspective on opportunities within the country’s mining sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Seychelles Targets Energy Investment Push as Minister Jérémie Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Speaker

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14 hours ago

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April 30, 2026

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African Energy Chamber

Seychelles energy minister will speak at AEW 2026, positioning her to highlight reforms, renewable projects and investment opportunities as the island nation advances its transition toward a diversified energy system

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –Marie-May Jérémie, Minister of Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources for Seychelles will participate as a speaker at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, taking place from October 12–16 in Cape Town. Her participation underscores the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s small-island energy transition agenda.

Minister Jérémie’s presence at AEW 2026 comes at a critical time as Seychelles accelerates efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels. The event provides a platform to attract investment, strengthen policy alignment and showcase bankable projects, positioning the country as a viable destination for private-sector participation in island energy systems.

Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments

In May last year, international finance institution the World Bank approved the Renewable Energy Acceleration Program, a seven-year initiative aimed at modernizing the grid and increasing renewable energy penetration to 15% by 2030. The program focuses on unlocking private capital while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate variable renewable energy sources.

Project development is gaining traction in the country, particularly in innovative technologies suited to Seychelles’ land constraints. The 5.8 MW Seysun Lagoon floating solar PV project, developed by independent renewable power producer Qair, is under construction and expected online in 2026.

Alongside renewables, Seychelles continues to pursue upstream opportunities to diversify its economy. The government approved new exploration entrants in 2025 and extended exiting petroleum agreements, while securing an infrastructure partnership with China. Multilateral estimates suggest over $800 million in investment will be required over the next 25 years.

Regulatory reform is central to this transition, with Seychelles introducing an independent power producer framework to open the market to private developers. Standardized power purchase agreements, grid access reforms and strengthened public-private partnership structures are being implemented to improve transparency, reduce risk and accelerate project bankability across solar, storage and emerging wind opportunities.

“Minister Jérémie’s participation highlights the strategic importance of island nations in Africa’s broader energy transition,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Seychelles is demonstrating how policy reform and innovation can unlock investment in constrained environments. Her insights will be critical to advancing dialogue on resilient, low-carbon energy systems across the continent.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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