By Uche Usim
The African export import bank (Afreximbank) is redefining the African financial landscape.
Aside from being a strategic regional lender, the banking behemoth is reshaping the future of African trade and hoisting Africa’s flag boldly on the global financial arena.
It is doing this through various initiatives.
One of them is leveraging trade to build geo-political and socio-economic bridges across the continent.
That explains why drums were rolled out penultimate week in Abuja as the bank launched its first African Trade Centre in Abuja, a $120 million iconic edifice.
At the commissioning event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu, highlighted Afreximbank’s significant impact across Africa. He noted that the bank has disbursed over $50 billion in trade finance to Nigeria and steadily played a crucial role in promoting and facilitating intra-African trade.
According to him, the bank plans to bolster industrial parks, special economic zones, manufacturing, export and African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Secretariat.
“The AATC located in Abuja represents another milestone in this journey and this aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s strategic priorities under the federal government’s eight-point agenda particularly in the areas of job creation, economic diversification and regional integration.
“As we commission this remarkable edifice, let us renew our resolve to build a strong and more interconnected and prosperous Africa. To achieve these goals, we must unlock new trade corridors and reduce dependence on imports; empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and women led business through access to markets and finance and harness digital technology to streamline cross border trade and reduce inefficiencies. I wish to assure you that the federal government will support initiatives that drive inclusive growth, digital transformation and sustainable industrialisation” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, noted that the centre would accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
“This centre will support research and data to guide sound policy. It will serve as a knowledge base and policy anchor for the accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, helping Nigerian businesses unlock the full promise of this historical agreement. The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will continue to drive key priority projects that align with your vision” he said.
In his remarks, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, assured that the bank was strongly committed to supporting Nigeria’s development, especially in expanding the non-oil sectors of the economy. He noted that $19 billion of the total amount disbursed had been invested in Nigeria’s financial services sector, which has grown significantly over the years.
“Over the last decade alone, total disbursements into Nigeria amounted to about $50bn, spreading across vital sectors of energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, transport, and financial services.
“This centre will act as a lighthouse for interconnections, providing a digital gateway that will enable businesses across Africa and the Caribbean to connect, collaborate, and trade”, he said.
In his presentation, Director & Global Head, Real Estate & Administration of the bank, Dr Robert Tomusange, said that the bank has set out to establish trade centres in several commercial capitals across Africa and the Caribbean, to be dubbed, the Afreximbank- African Trade Centres (“AATCs”). The centres include, Abuja, Abidjan, Harare, Barbados, Cairo, Lusaka, Yaunde, Kigali and Kampala.
“The AATCs are landmark business complexes and hubs that will house Afreximbank’s trade capabilities in a network of iconic locations–giving stakeholders access to integrated trade services, critical data, as well as opportunities to network and form partnerships” he said.
With these, economic experts reckon that the bank has fused heritage, modernity and innovation to power intra-African trade and global partnerships.
From the hearts of technocrats who attended the launch came praises for Afreximbank for reimagining the future of African trade through the prism of architectural elegance, digital innovation and continental connectivity.
Nestled on 5,856 square metres of premium real estate in Abuja’s Central Business District, the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) as many observed, is not just a building but a symbol of ambition, transformation and unity. Conceived in 2018 as part of Afreximbank’s strategy to tackle the chronic lack of trade information and support services across Africa, the AATCs are designed to become hubs of commercial intelligence, business facilitation and cross-border collaboration.
The Abuja AATC, the inaugural site in a network of nine across Africa and the CARICOM region, is a towering statement of purpose. Designed as a delicate blend of African tradition and 21st-century commerce, the Centre draws its aesthetic inspiration from the vibrant energy of African bazaars.
These enclosed marketplaces, alive with trade, colour, and community, have shaped urban life across the continent for centuries. That spirit now finds a new expression in the capital of Africa’s largest economy.
From its frameless glass elements symbolising open borders to the internal trading street lined with retail kiosks under a glass canopy, the AATC captures the essence of African trade’s vitality and movement. At the centre of its design is a message: trade in Africa must be accessible, inclusive, and borderless.
The development comprises twin nine-storey towers, one a commercial office block and the other a four-star ONOMO hotel, rising above a two-storey podium that houses conference and public facilities. A striking atrium connects the two towers, complete with scenic elevators and panoramic views, reflecting both elegance and efficiency.
The Centre offers a dynamic array of amenities: a state-of-the-art conference and exhibition hall with 500-seat capacity, four private meeting rooms, a Digital Trade Gateway, tech and SME incubation hubs, and co-working stations, all designed to support business growth and trade engagement across sectors.
Hub of intelligence and innovation
At its core, the Abuja AATC is a launchpad for ideas and enterprise. Tenants and users will gain access to Afreximbank’s Trade Intelligence Solutions (TRIN), a cutting-edge platform that delivers actionable insights for businesses entering or expanding across African markets. Combined with advisory support and physical proximity to financial and policy institutions, TRIN positions the Centre as a brain trust for Africa’s economic evolution.
The office tower offers 6,500 square metres of open-plan, investment-grade space, with floors 6 to 9 designated for Afreximbank’s Anglophone West Africa regional operations. Flexible layouts accommodate a mix of short-term rentals and long-term corporate tenants, enabling diverse business ecosystems to thrive under one roof.
A four-star welcome to the continent
Reflecting Afreximbank’s commitment to comfort and culture, the ONOMO Allure Hotel within the complex offers 148 rooms across four categories, from Standard to Suite, complemented by restaurants, wellness facilities, and light retail outlets. Designed by specialist hotel architect Michel Angeli, the hotel weaves together African heritage with modern design to offer a bespoke pan-African hospitality experience.
Built green, built smart
In a region where green buildings remain rare, the Abuja AATC aims to be a beacon of sustainability. The development is on track to secure a prestigious Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the first in Nigeria and West Africa. From energy-efficient lighting with presence detectors to advanced power management systems and eco-friendly construction materials, the Centre exemplifies what sustainable African infrastructure can look like.
24/7 power supply
With four backup generators housed in acoustically treated enclosures, the AATC ensures uninterrupted operations, a critical factor in a region still plagued by power instability. Security, safety, and accessibility have also been integrated into every inch of the design, with smart access control systems, emergency lighting, ample parking, and carefully curated landscaping.
The Abuja AATC is more than a structure; it is a living ecosystem. It brings together buyers, sellers, service providers, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, government agencies and development partners, all with the shared mission of transforming how Africa trades with itself and the world.
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