President Tinubu Honours Afreximbank’s Prof. Benedict Oramah With GCON For Transformative Leadership.
In a heartfelt tribute to a decade of exceptional leadership, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the prestigious Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, on Professor Benedict Oramah, the outgoing President and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The announcement was made on Friday, 27 June 2025, during the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja, celebrating Oramah’s remarkable contributions to Africa’s economic development and Nigeria’s strategic interests.
President Tinubu praised Oramah as a “pivotal figure in shaping Africa’s financial and trade landscape,” highlighting his visionary stewardship that transformed Afreximbank into a cornerstone of African resilience and progress. Under Oramah’s leadership, the bank’s assets soared from $5 billion to over $37 billion, with more than $150 billion mobilised for trade and development across the continent over the past decade. Nigeria alone has benefited from over $52 billion in support, channelled into critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and the creative industries.
“Today is your day, Prof. Oramah,” Tinubu declared at the ceremony. “I have the honour and privilege of conferring on you one of Nigeria’s highest recognitions, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, for your outstanding contributions to Africa and your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s prosperity.”
Oramah, who joined Afreximbank in 1994 as one of its pioneering employees and assumed the presidency in 2015, has been lauded for his innovative approach to fostering intra-African trade and financial integration. His tenure saw the bank play a pivotal role in Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating funds for 400 million vaccine doses, and supporting landmark projects such as the Dangote Refinery, the African Medical Centre of Excellence, and the African Quality Assurance Centre. These initiatives, Tinubu noted, reflect “confidence in Nigeria’s future and Africa’s potential.”
The President also highlighted Oramah’s instrumental role in advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and championing the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which enables cross-border trade in local currencies, reducing reliance on foreign exchange. “I urge all African nations to embrace PAPSS, as deeper financial integration strengthens our collective resilience,” Tinubu urged, reaffirming Nigeria’s formal approval of the system.
In his farewell address, Oramah expressed gratitude to African leaders and stakeholders, stating, “I gave this job the best of my energy, talent, and intellect.” He noted that Afreximbank invested approximately $120 billion in Africa between 2020 and May 2025, with shareholders reinvesting 50-70% of their $1.35 billion dividends to fuel further growth. Oramah projected that with continued reforms, the bank’s assets could reach $250 billion in the next decade.
The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including former Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Namadi Sambo, and Yemi Osinbajo, as well as former heads of state from Ghana, Senegal, and Niger, underscored Oramah’s continental impact. Tinubu also outlined Nigeria’s ambitious plans, supported by Afreximbank, including scaling fertiliser production to 7.5 million tonnes annually to position Nigeria as Africa’s fertiliser hub, and launching the $5 billion Africa Energy Bank in Abuja to drive the continent’s energy transition.
As Oramah prepares to step down, his legacy as an “architect of African resilience” endures, with Afreximbank poised to continue shaping the continent’s economic future. The GCON honour not only celebrates his achievements but also signals Nigeria’s commitment to fostering African-led development and unity in the face of global challenges.