By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed appreciation for the support given to Nigerian businesses by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Mr Garba Shehu, one of the media aides to President Buhari, said in a statement that the commendation was given when the Nigerian leader met with the bank’s chief, Mr Benedict Oramah, in Durban, South Africa.
At the meeting, which took place at the 2nd Intra-African Trade Fair Conference in the South African city on Monday, he assured that the Nigerian government will continue to support efforts that would broaden the economy through multilateral financing.
President Buhari said: “Rest assured you can count on me as you seek a better trade and investment climate for Africa.”
Mr Oramah, who arrived in the company of the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Mr Wamkele Mene, thanked President Buhari for honouring the invitation of the South African President to attend the Afreximbank-backed Fair, alongside other Heads of State.
He added that this clearly demonstrated that “President Buhari understands the importance of trade and how Intra-African trade can help transform the African economy and of course, that of Nigeria.”
He equally appreciated the Nigerian leader for granting land and accepting to grace the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony of the Africa Medical Centre of Excellence project, to be implemented by the continental bank in Abuja, in December.
According to Mr Oramah, Nigeria is an important market for the bank with an exposure of $5.5 billion in investment.
He noted that “It is, therefore, imperative that we continue to engage Nigeria at the highest level,” revealing that Nigerian businesses got deals worth over $3.3 billion during the first edition of the event in Cairo, Egypt.
According to him, more was expected at this year’s Fair with an assurance that Afreximbank would be ready to support such deals emanating from the event “especially considering the support we have seen from the President.”
“Nigeria’s participation was essential as the largest economy in Africa. Africa needs Nigeria as Nigeria needs Africa.
“Anything we do at the continental level that does not have Nigeria is seen globally as incomplete,” Mr Oramah added.
Dipo Olowookere