The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has injected more than $41 billion into the Egyptian economy, Afreximbank President and Chairman George Elombi said, underscoring Egypt’s growing role as a regional trade and investment hub, during the official groundbreaking ceremony of the African Trade Centre (AATC) and Afreximbank headquarters in Cairo’s New Capital.

Speaking at the ceremony, Elombi said the bank’s cumulative financing has supported investment across key sectors including energy, telecommunications, financial services, construction, tourism, and manufacturing, while also enabling Egyptian companies to expand their footprint across African markets.

He described the Cairo AATC as the flagship of the bank’s trade centre network, calling it “the mother of all AATCs,” and said the project reflects the collective commitment of African governments to strengthening intra-African trade and investment.

According to Elombi, the Cairo centre is expected to be completed within 30 months and will form part of a broader network of African Trade Centres, following the launch of operational facilities in Abuja and the commencement of construction in Barbados, with additional centres planned in Kampala, Tunis, Abidjan, Kigali, and Yaoundé.

The African Trade Centre in Cairo will host Afreximbank’s new headquarters and function as a one-stop hub for trade and investment services, including market intelligence platforms, SME incubation and innovation spaces, digital trade solutions, and conference and exhibition facilities. Elombi said the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs during construction and operations, while strengthening Egypt’s position as a gateway linking Africa with global markets.

He also highlighted the role of the centres in addressing long-standing challenges related to limited access to market information and trade data, which he described as a major barrier to African trade integration over decades.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Central Bank of Egypt Governor Hassan Abdalla, senior government officials, diplomats, and representatives from the African and international business community.

Afreximbank officials said the Cairo centre will play a key role in supporting the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by facilitating trade flows, enhancing regional connectivity, and promoting value-added production across the continent.