Cameroonian George Elombi Named President of Afreximbank

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Dr. George Elombi of Cameroon has been appointed President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), becoming the fourth person to hold the position since the Bank’s establishment.

His appointment was ratified by shareholders during the 32nd Annual Afreximbank Meetings and associated events held in Abuja, Nigeria.

Dr Elombi will succeed Professor Benedict Oramah, who has served in the role since 2015 and is scheduled to step down in September 2025.

A longstanding staff member, Dr Elombi joined the Cairo-headquartered Bank in 1996 as a Legal Officer. Over nearly three decades, he has risen through the ranks to become Executive Vice President in charge of Governance, Legal, and Corporate Services.

His career progression at Afreximbank includes roles as Director and Executive Secretary (2010–2015), Deputy Director of Legal Services (2008–2010), Chief Legal Officer (2003–2008), and Senior Legal Officer (2001–2003).

In his acceptance speech, Dr Elombi underscored his dedication to advancing the Bank’s mission and positioning Afreximbank as a leading driver of Africa’s industrial and economic transformation.

“I have worked alongside remarkable colleagues and extraordinary leaders to help shape this institution’s vision, its mandate as well as its growth,” he said.

“As we look to the future, I see Afreximbank as a force for industrialising Africa and for re-gaining the dignity of Africans wherever they are. I will work to preserve this important asset.”

Dr Elombi also pledged to pursue the target set by his predecessor to transform Afreximbank into a US\$250 billion institution over the next decade.

He holds a PhD in commercial arbitration and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics, University of London. He also earned a Maitrise-en-Droit from the University of Yaoundé in 1989.