Director and Global Head of Administration at Afreximbank, Robert Tomusange, told bt that Africa is ready now… Africa is ready to trade.
Director and Global Head of Administration at Afreximbank, Robert Tomusange
“Africa is ready now… Africa is ready to trade.” With these words, Director and Global Head of Administration at Afreximbank, Robert Tomusange, described the continent’s current moment following the groundbreaking ceremony of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Cairo.
Tomusange outlined the strategic role of the Cairo centre within the bank’s broader continental network.
In an interview with Business Today Egypt, he explained how the AATC is designed to serve as Afreximbank’s global headquarters and a central platform for trade facilitation, market intelligence, and investment services, aimed at addressing gaps in intra-African trade and positioning Egypt as a key gateway for African commerce. He noted that “Egypt is home to Afreximbank.”
He also detailed the distinguishing features of the AATC network, the rationale behind selecting Cairo as its location, the project’s construction and operational timeline, and how the centre aligns with Afreximbank’s long-term vision to expand intra-African trade and deepen economic integration across the continent.
Q: What institutional role was the Cairo African Trade Center designed to play within AATC network?
A:
We have just commemorated the commencement of construction of the Cairo Afreximbank African Trade Center, which also serves as the headquarters building for the bank.
The AATC is a special strategic initiative of the bank that provides it with a platform to carry out all its activities. We have a network of buildings across the continent that we call Afreximbank African Trade Centers that house Afreximbank and all other members of the trade, finance, and investment ecosystem.
The AATC is really at the core of Afreximbank’s vision of expanding and diversifying trade in Africa.
Q: How is the AATC network managed, and what distinguishes its operating role from traditional trade centers?
A:
The AATC has five major distinguishing factors from other trade centers. The first is the brand. We have a very strong African brand and a strong Afreximbank brand. We are African, so we are the African Trade Center. It is a very strong brand that we are building across the continent.
All the Afreximbank Trade Centers will carry this brand, and all other trade centers that Afreximbank creates, but does not own, will also carry this strong brand.
The second element is the facility. Our facilities are iconic. This building in Cairo is going to be an iconic facility, and the one in Abuja has received platinum certification, which is the top level globally for green credentials. It is the first in Nigeria and the second in West Africa.
All our trade centers are iconic, standout landmark buildings.
However, the biggest factor that distinguishes us from other trade centers is the services that will be offered in these trade centers. The building is just one aspect. There is a whole range of services including market information, trade facilitation, and technology platforms.
Another critical aspect is networks and partnerships. We will crowd the entire finance and trade ecosystem into these buildings so that they become a one-stop shop. You can walk into this building and access finance, trade information, markets, and networks to help expand business across the continent.
The fifth aspect is technology. So when you walk into the African Trade Center you will be offered the brand, the facility, the trade services, the partnerships and networks, and the technology.
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Q: How was the Cairo location selected, and what logistical and economic considerations influenced the decision?
A:
Afreximbank has been in Cairo for over 30 years. Cairo is the home of Afreximbank, and our headquarters are based here. This is our home.
The Government of Egypt took the strategic decision to set up the New Capital and invited Afreximbank to locate in the Diplomatic District. This perfectly meets our long-term strategic plans because we needed to build a facility that would accommodate all our staff in the long term.
This facility will accommodate between 2,000 and 3,000 Afreximbank employees, in addition to conference and exhibition centers, and a hotel. We will also invite many other organizations to locate in this building.
Q: What timeline can be expected for full operation of the building?
A:
The project has officially commenced and will be concluded in 1,096 days. Hassan Allam were urged to complete the project in less than 30 months.
We expect the structure to be finished in about two years and the fit-outs to be completed in a year. This is a specialized, mixed-use building. It includes corporate offices, a 110-room apart-hotel, a conference center, and exhibition centers.
In November 2028, about three years from now, we will be here to launch the new Afreximbank African Trade Center in the New Capital.
Q: What collaboration opportunities are envisioned between the center and Egyptian public and private institutions?
A:
This trade center will be a one-stop shop for Egyptian businesses to access the market information that opens doors to the rest of Africa.
We will bring together private sector players, government entities, buyers, sellers, suppliers, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, and trade associations. This will be their home, a meeting place where they can do business and access information on opportunities across the continent.
Q: How does the bank assess the readiness of African markets to leverage these centers?
A:
Africa is ready now. Africa is ready to trade. Africa is ready to develop. This is Africa’s time.
Historically, impediments, such as the lack of market information and trade facilitation, have kept intra-African trade levels low. This center will address those challenges and open the door for enterprises to operate across the continent.
Q: Will this project help expand intra-African trade?
A:
It will promote intra-African trade as well as the Egyptian trade with the rest of the continent. Afreximbank has disbursed over $40 billion to Egyptian companies and is at the forefront of promoting Egyptian trade across Africa.
Q: How does this project align with Afreximbank’s long-term vision for African economic integration?
A:
These trade centers operate as a platform for Afreximbank, a trade-facilitating infrastructure housing all the bank’s trade and finance capabilities.
This aligns with Afreximbank’s long-term vision to promote intra-African trade, and the trade centers will play a key role in achieving that.
