Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Afreximbank signs US$500 million term loan facility with the Central Bank of Tunisia to support the realisation of strategic goals

Published

on

Afreximbank

The facility was signed at Afreximbank’s Headquarters during a meeting attended by Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, and Dr. Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, together with senior delegations from both institutions

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) ( has signed a US$500 million term loan facility with the Central Bank of Tunisia on behalf of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tunisia, to support the country in the execution of its key socio-economic priorities.

 

The facility was signed at Afreximbank’s Headquarters during a meeting attended by Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, and Dr.  Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, together with senior delegations from both institutions.

 

The facility, which adds to the US$1.2 billion previously disbursed to the central bank, will help the government to meet maturing trade debt obligations, finance the import of essential goods, including fuel, fertilizers, and food items, and boost access to foreign-currency liquidity. The transaction also reinforces Afreximbank’s countercyclical role and commitment to advancing the economic and structural transformation of the continent.

This facility reaffirms Afreximbank’s strong commitment to supporting Tunisia and the continent’s sustainable socio-economic development

 

Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said: “This facility reaffirms Afreximbank’s strong commitment to supporting Tunisia and the continent’s sustainable socio-economic development. We thank the Government of Tunisia, through the Central Bank of Tunisia, and the Ministry of Finance for the growing collaboration, especially at a most critical time when international development finance institutions continue to deprioritise Africa. For us, the message is unequivocal: African institutions must lead Africa’s development.”

 

Dr Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, said: “We welcome the continued partnership with Afreximbank, which provides important support to Tunisia at a time when access to trade finance and foreign currency liquidity remains critical to sustaining essential imports. This facility demonstrates the value of African financial institutions working together to address shared economic priorities and support national resilience.”

 

Through its trade finance, project finance and liquidity support instruments, Afreximbank continues to help African economies to strengthen trade resilience, support essential imports, and expand their participation in intra-African and global trade.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Business

Hong Kong unlocks new opportunities with Central Asia

Published

on

Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – Led by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, a high-level delegation visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (May 31 – June 5) is already paying dividends, forging fresh opportunities to deepen ties between Central Asia, Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.

The business delegation comprised over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises of various sectors.

During the visit, 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements were reached, including a total of 15 co-operation documents at the government level between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively.

“The examples of agreements and co-operation are just so abundant that they range from the service sector to heavy industries such as mining and infrastructure development,” Mr Lee said. “I think the sky is the limit.”

The multiple outcomes achieved during the trip demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, as the city actively plays its roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to promote broader and deeper co-operation between the two places and establish a hub-to-hub co-operation model.

“Kazakhstan is an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe. It is also the place where the Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed, and is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner in Central Asia. There are broad prospects for further co-operation,” Mr Lee said, adding that a lot of B&R projects are also being pursued in Uzbekistan.

“For example, Uzbekistan sits in the heart of the corridor of Asia and Europe, so logistical development, railway development, and also how we can complement and supplement each other in cargo handling will be an area for a very wide range of co-operation.”

The Chief Executive also encouraged companies in Central Asia to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle.

“Under this unique principle, Hong Kong has its own economic, social, legal, legislative and judicial systems. We are the only common law jurisdiction in China. We have our own currency, with no capital or foreign exchange controls. We are, as well, a separate customs territory,” Mr Lee said.

Building on the positive outcomes from the delegation’s mission to Central Asia, Mr Lee welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev, to Hong Kong (June 10) and they both attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table (June 11).

Speaking at the event, Mr Lee said Hong Kong could contribute to the future success of Kazakhstan’s innovative, high-tech Alatau City in three concrete ways: as a gateway to global capital; a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and the Greater Bay Area; and as a partner in talent and technology.

“We share a development vision with Alatau City and Kazakhstan,” Mr Lee said, “Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together.”

He looked forward to Hong Kong and Kazakhstan achieving complementary advantages and co-ordinated development across different sectors and welcomed enterprises in Kazakhstan to make good use of Hong Kong’s premier financial and innovation and technology platforms, as well as its world-leading professional services, to explore more business opportunities.

 

 

Continue Reading

Business

Zenith Bank Headline Sponsorship Powers Final Countdown to the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lagos

Published

on

Ateau Zola

The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business builds final momentum ahead of its flagship Lagos program convening Canadian and African decision-makers

TORONTO, Canada, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business (https://CanadaAfrica.CA/) today announced final momentum for the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference (https://apo-opa.co/4xHpTJ5), taking place June 24-25, 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, headline sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc.

 

The flagship program will convene senior business leaders, investors, policymakers and institutional partners from Canada, Nigeria and across the African continent for two days of high-level networking, sector-focused discussion and practical engagement designed to accelerate trade, investment and commercial partnerships.

Hosted in the dynamic megacity of Lagos, a key gateway for global growth, the 6th edition places Nigeria’s private sector leadership and continental reach at the centre of Canada-Africa engagement. The program will highlight opportunities across financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, clean technologies and other high-growth sectors.

“Zenith Bank Plc is honoured to serve as headline sponsor to this distinguished gathering in Lagos, our home city and one of Africa’s most important commercial centres. The Conference reflects the growing importance of financial linkages between Africa and Canada, and we look forward to working with partners to advance trade, investment and shared prosperity.”

Thanks to Zenith Bank’s leadership, this conference is positioned to convert goodwill into relationships, and relationships into practical commercial outcomes

— Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Plc

Zenith Bank’s headline sponsorship reflects the central role of financial institutions in enabling market entry, cross-border trade, investment flows and project delivery. The bank brings deep local market knowledge, robust trade finance and treasury solutions, corporate and investment banking expertise, and digital platforms built to global standards.

“Building on over three decades of convening excellence, the Chamber is pleased to bring Canadian and African decision-makers together in Lagos at a time of exceptional opportunity. Thanks to Zenith Bank’s leadership, this conference is positioned to convert goodwill into relationships, and relationships into practical commercial outcomes.”

— Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

The conference is also supported by a growing roster of partners and sponsors, including Elephant Trade-Services DRC as Headline Chamber Sponsor, GardaWorld Security as Gold Conference Sponsor, and Silver Conference Sponsors Banwo & Ighodalo, Baywood Group, CBI News, Dentons, Eko Hotels & Suites, and Voranex Africa. The Government of Canada is recognized as Chamber Partner, with Abide Consulting serving as Conference Partner.

The two-day program includes keynote addresses, interactive panels, executive networking and business-to-business engagement, with a focus on practical outcomes for Canadian and African companies seeking growth, market access and long-term partnership. Delegates will participate in keynote addresses, executive panels, business-to-business engagement and Day 2 program focuses on deepening relationships between members and sponsors, with a Site Visit to GardaWorld Security, showcasing significant investment in action, as well as a closing VIP Reception.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

Continue Reading

Business

Arab Coordination Group Convenes 21st Heads of Institutions Meeting in Vienna to Advance Joint Development Action and Global Partnerships

Published

on

Arab Coordination Group

The meeting brought together the leaders of ACG member institutions to reaffirm the Group’s longstanding spirit of partnership, strengthen cooperation among its members, and reinforce its shared commitment to advancing sustainable development across the world

VIENNA, Austria, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) (www.theACG.org), one of the world’s largest partnerships of development finance institutions, convened its 21st Meeting of Heads of Institutions today at the headquarters of the OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna, Austria. The meeting was hosted during the OPEC Fund’s 50th anniversary year, marking five decades of support for sustainable development and international cooperation.

 

The meeting brought together the leaders of ACG member institutions to reaffirm the Group’s longstanding spirit of partnership, strengthen cooperation among its members, and reinforce its shared commitment to advancing sustainable development across the world.

The gathering serves as an important platform for ACG leadership to exchange perspectives, strengthen institutional relationships, and ensure continued alignment in support of the Group’s collective development mission. The meeting reflects the enduring values that have guided the ACG for more than five decades: solidarity, mutual trust, collaboration, and a shared dedication to improving lives and promoting prosperity in developing countries.

In 2025, ACG member institutions collectively extended US$25.7 billion to finance nearly 735 operations in more than 97 countries. Over the past five decades, the Group has provided more than US$331.5 billion in development financing across more than 13,000 projects in over 160 countries, supporting economic growth, infrastructure development, social progress, and sustainable development worldwide.

The Heads of Institutions reviewed the Group’s progress over the past year and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation among member institutions. Discussions focused on sustaining the strong partnerships that underpin the Group’s success and enhancing the effectiveness of its collective efforts to address evolving development needs around the world.

On the margins of the meeting, ACG leaders engaged in roundtable meetings hosted by the OPEC  Fund, with the Government of Barbados, the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and its V20 Finance Ministers (CVF-V20), African Development Bank and Inter-American Development Bank and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, reflecting the Group’s continued commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and strengthening collaboration across the global development community.

In their concluding remarks, the Heads of Institutions reaffirmed the Arab Coordination Group’s enduring commitment to cooperation, partnership, and shared purpose. They emphasized that the Group’s success over the past five decades has been built on strong institutional relationships, mutual respect, and a common dedication to advancing development outcomes for countries and communities around the world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Arab Coordination Group (ACG).

 

Continue Reading

Trending