It is a profound honour and a privilege to join you personally on this special occasion.

I convey warm greetings from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and from the entire African Union family, in Addis Ababa and from the entire continent.

We are pleased to stand with you at this significant milestone in the life of Afreximbank, as we celebrate the seamless transition to a new chapter of leadership within this esteemed African institution.

Across Africa, when a baobab tree has stood firm through seasons of wind and storm, the village gathers to celebrate its shelter and strength.

Today, we gather in that same spirit, as one Pan-African family, to honour service, continuity, excellence and our shared continental destiny.

Afreximbank has, on many occasions, walked hand-in- hand with the African Union as a trusted partner in advancing the aspirations of our Union and the vision of Agenda 2063.

Yesterday, when I entered this very room, one telling thing captured my attention. It made me proud as it illustrates the Pan-African spirit, and even more, I would say, DNA, of Afreximbamk and of its leadership. It is these two flags, standing side by side. It says it all.

Excellencies,

Earlier this year, as the African Union also embarked on its own new chapter of leadership, Afreximbank stood with us in solidarity, offering invaluable support and fraternity, the way it did consistently and increasingly for several years now. Suffice to mention the growing support and partnership of Afreximbank with the AU, its Commission and organs, in the framework of several important processes, projects or emergencies: The AFCFTA, COPs, G20, IATF or COVID19, to list just a few. And I will expand a little bit more on that later!

It is thus only fitting, in the spirit of reciprocity, solidarity, mutual support and appreciation, that defines our African values, that we stand with you today, to bid farewell with gratitude, to welcome with enthusiasm, and to commend work that has not only been done, but done with excellence.

Excellencies,

Our continent continues to navigate complex and evolving challenges, from issues of peace and security, to the imperative of inclusive and sustainable development, economic resilience, institutional strengthening, and enhanced global influence.

In responding to these challenges, three things matter: vision, partnership, and strong institutions.

Since the signing of our Cooperation Agreement in 2018, Afreximbank has proven to be an indispensable partner in driving Africa’s integration, industrialisation, and economic transformation.

Working jointly with the AU and our Member States, Afreximbank has contributed to reducing barriers to intra- African trade, expanding trade-enabling infrastructure, and operationalising the instruments that give concrete meaning to the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Through this cooperation, Afreximbank has helped shift the paradigm of Africa’s economic outlook, fostering value addition, strengthening industrial capacity, and advancing African agency and voice within the global economy.

Africa has never been short of thinkers. But history does not reward ideas alone, it rewards delivery.

In this regard, Professor Benedict Oramah stands tall.

His tenure has been marked by courage, humility, unwavering resolve, and a rare ability to convert vision into tangible impact.

He has been a leader for whom barriers are challenges to be overcome, and possibilities to be expanded.

He is known across our continent simply as the man who makes things happen.

Professor Oramah, my dear brother, we thank you.

Thank you for your leadership, your service, and your unshakeable belief in the boundless potential of Africa. Thank you for your openness to partnership with the African Union and its organs, and for demonstrating what becomes possible when conviction is matched with competence and action that are anchored in a Pan-African Vision.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Leadership is not an end. It is a relay. And this afternoon, the torch is passed.

To you Dr. George Elombi, the incoming President, we extend our heartfelt congratulations.

You inherit not a vessel awaiting direction, but a strong, visionary, and respected institution—one to which you have already made significant and instrumental contributions.

You assume this leadership at a defining time for our continent. We are confident that you will carry forward this legacy with distinction, and shepherd Afreximbank into its next era of excellence.

"أنت خیر خلف لخیر سلف" ,As we say in Arabic (You are the best successor to the best predecessor!)

The African Union looks forward to deepening our collaboration with you as we embark on the Second Ten-Year

Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063, under the banner of the Decade of Acceleration.

I, too, have recently begun my mandate, and I extend my hand of partnership to you, that together, institution-to- institution, brother to sister, we may advance our shared mission for the Africa We Want.

As I look around this room, I see a powerful reminder that mandates evolve, but service to Africa endures.

In many of our traditions, we do not mourn transitions, we honour them. We celebrate those who have served, we embrace those who will lead, we believe in them, and we reaffirm that the mission transcends any individual, institution, or term of office. Leadership may change, but our continental purpose remains constant.

Today is therefore not merely a farewell and a welcome — it is a celebration of continuity of purpose.

To our Ministers, Captains of Industry, Development Partners, and all present, this work belongs to all of us. The road ahead demands discipline, unity of effort, and a relentless focus on implementation. The Africa We Want will not be realised through goodwill alone, it will be built through the decisions we take, the commitments we honour, and the institutions we strengthen.

To Professor Oramah — we thank you and we salute you.


To Dr. Elombi — we stand with you, we believe in you and we have trust in you!

To the Afreximbank family — forward, ever forward.

The foundation has been well laid, the vision remains clear, and the future demands our collective resolve. Let us continue the work, united in purpose, as we chart Africa’s path to prosperity.

I thank you.