ECONOMIC INTEGRATION : South Africa Joins Afreximbank and Announces an $8 Billion Country Program
La voix des entreprises 
An $8 Billion Commitment: H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, and Dr. George Elombi, President of Afreximbank and Chairman of the Bank’s Board, at the signing ceremony of the country’s accession, marking the launch of the major country program designed to support the South African economy.
(LVDE) — On February 4, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa took a major step in its continental economic integration by officially joining the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). This entry coincides with the launch of a groundbreaking $8 billion country program aimed at strengthening industry, trade, and regional value chains.
This is a historic milestone for Africa’s economy : the continent’s largest industrial power, South Africa, becomes the 54th member state of Afreximbank, the leading multilateral institution supporting intra-African trade finance. The accession follows approval by the South African Parliament in 2025 and formalizes a strategic partnership designed to stimulate growth, enhance regional integration, and reinforce financial sovereignty for both parties.
As part of this accession, Afreximbank announced an $8 billion country program to support priority projects in trade, industry, and local value chains. This financing aligns with South Africa’s national development plan for 2030 and targets strategic sectors such as healthcare, energy, manufacturing, financial services, and mining. The current portfolio of projects under review in South Africa already exceeds $6 billion, highlighting the continent’s ambition to transform its trade and industrial infrastructure.
Dr. George Elombi, President of Afreximbank, described South Africa’s accession as a “decisive milestone” and emphasized the country’s central role in the Bank’s continental vision. “This partnership paves the way for unifying Africa’s economic interests and provides Afreximbank with full continental coverage, while strengthening South Africa’s capacity to expand exports and industrial production,” he stated.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the move as a step forward for continental economic integration. He stressed the program’s importance in supporting businesses owned by historically marginalized communities and in reinforcing local industry. According to him, collaboration with Afreximbank will consolidate South African exports, stimulate industrial parks, and support the growth of regional value chains.
The agreement also opens the door to several joint initiatives: the South Africa-Africa Trade and Investment Promotion Program (SATIPP), financing for special economic zones, support for export trading companies and creative industries, and the provision of advisory services for major development projects.
This cooperation marks a turning point in African economic policy, where the combination of regional expertise and multilateral financial support could accelerate intra-African trade, enhance industrial competitiveness, and contribute to the sustainable transformation of the continent’s economies. As a continental trade engine, South Africa is positioned as a central actor in Afreximbank’s strategy for an integrated, competitive, and resilient Africa facing global challenges. Tressy Chouente
À propos de l'auteur
