New States in Nigeria 2025: A Bold Leap Toward Restructuring and Renewal

George Elombi: The Pan-African Visionary Steering Afreximbank into a New EraIn the grand halls of Cairo’s convention centers, where the echoes of Africa’s economic aspirations reverberate, Dr. George Elombi stood tall on October 25, 2025, sworn in as the fourth President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). A Cameroonian lawyer, banker, and lifelong champion of continental integration, Elombi inherits the mantle from Prof. Benedict Oramah, whose decade-long tenure transformed Afreximbank into a powerhouse financing over $50 billion in intra-African trade. But for Elombi, this isn’t just a promotion—it’s a clarion call to end Africa’s raw export curse and ignite a renaissance of self-reliant prosperity.

As headlines buzz with “George Elombi” leading the charge, his story is one of quiet ascent, sharp intellect, and unyielding commitment to a united Africa.From Hull’s Lecture Halls to Afreximbank’s Helm: A Journey of DedicationBorn in Cameroon, George Elombi’s path to the pinnacle of pan-African finance reads like a blueprint for excellence. Armed with a Maitrise-en-Droit from his homeland in 1989, he crossed the Atlantic to the University of London, earning an LLM from the London School of Economics and a PhD in International Commercial Arbitration—a specialization that would later fortify Afreximbank’s deal-making prowess.

His early career as a full-time lecturer at the University of Hull in the UK honed his skills in dissecting complex legal frameworks, but it was the pull of home that drew him back.In October 1996, Elombi joined Afreximbank as a Legal Officer, a modest entry point into an institution founded in 1993 to bridge Africa’s trade financing gaps. Over nearly three decades, he climbed methodically: from legal counsel navigating high-stakes arbitration to Executive Vice President of Governance, Legal, and Corporate Services by 2019. There, he architected the bank’s institutional backbone, earning accolades like Cameroon’s Knight of the Order of Valor in 2019—shared with Oramah himself—for elevating Africa’s financial sovereignty.

Elombi’s appointment in June 2025, following a global search and rigorous interviews, wasn’t mere serendipity. Shareholders at the 32nd Annual General Meeting in Abuja hailed his insider expertise and pan-African ethos, positioning him as the ideal steward for Afreximbank’s next chapter.

“George Elombi represents the continuity and evolution we need,” noted one delegate, echoing sentiments across X where users celebrated his rise as a “homegrown triumph.”

Architect of Integration: Elombi’s Enduring Legacy at AfreximbankLong before his presidency, George Elombi was the unseen force behind Afreximbank’s boldest innovations. He spearheaded the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a game-changer launched in 2022 that slashes cross-border transaction costs from dollars to local currencies, now operational in over 45 countries.

Equally pivotal was his role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Adjustment Fund, channeling billions to cushion SMEs against trade shocks and amplify the ZLECAf’s (AfCFTA’s French acronym) promise.Under his governance watch, Afreximbank weathered global storms—from COVID-19 to the Ukraine crisis—disbursing over $10 billion in emergency lines of credit while upholding ironclad compliance standards.

Elombi’s legal acumen ensured deals were not just funded but fortified, from Guinea’s $1.5 billion bauxite financing to intra-African supply chain rescues. On X, admirers dub him the “quiet architect,” with one post lauding: “George Elombi’s PAPSS is the backbone of Africa’s trade future.”

This timeline captures Elombi’s evolution from legal eagle to strategic visionary, each step amplifying Africa’s economic voice.A Bold Inaugural Vision: Seven Pillars for Africa’s Trade RenaissanceElombi’s swearing-in on October 25, 2025—broadcast live by AFRICA24 as “Afreximbank TV” for two days of specials—was more than ceremonial pomp; it was a manifesto for disruption.

Flanked by dignitaries like Egypt’s Central Bank Governor Hassan Abdalla, Cameroon’s Finance Minister Louis-Paul Motazé, and tycoon Aliko Dangote, he unveiled seven priorities to “deepen impact” over the next decade.

At the core: a fierce pivot to value addition. “No more exporting raw Nigerian bauxite, Gabonese manganese, or Cameroonian cobalt,” Elombi declared, vowing a dedicated financing window for mineral processing plants to spawn jobs, tech hubs, and billion-dollar industries.

This aligns with Afreximbank’s $45 billion asset base, now eyeing strategic sectors like agro-processing, renewables, and digital trade infrastructure. Partnerships will deepen—think expanded ties with the African Union and Caribbean nations—while transparency audits ensure every dollar fuels equitable growth.Dangote’s timely request for a $5 billion refinery expansion underscores the momentum: under Elombi, Afreximbank could supercharge Nigeria’s energy pivot, turning crude into refined exports.

X erupted with optimism, from

‘s congratulations—”Unlocking Africa’s potential”—to

‘s salute to his “strategic efficiency.”

The Road Ahead: Challenges and the Elombi EffectSteering Afreximbank amid geopolitical flux—rising debt, climate shocks, and protectionist headwinds—won’t be easy. Yet Elombi’s arbitration pedigree positions him to negotiate bolder trade pacts, potentially doubling intra-African trade to 50% by 2035. Critics eye the bank’s risk appetite, but his governance track record—zero major scandals in 29 years—silences doubters.As Africa24’s coverage fades, George Elombi’s name lingers as a synonym for progress. From Cameroon’s classrooms to Cairo’s podium, he’s not just leading a bank; he’s scripting a continent’s comeback. In his words: “An Africa that trades with itself and thrives on its own terms.”

The world watches—George Elombi is just getting started.