President William Ruto has called on the continent of Africa to lend its support to the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) as a vital catalyst for economic development.
Speaking during a meeting at State House on Friday, President Ruto expressed his appreciation for Afreximbank's partnership and the invaluable support the bank has provided to Kenya's developmental aspirations.
"Afreximbank is our organization. It supports our development, financing, and implementation of identified projects," President Ruto emphasized, underlining the significance of the bank's role in driving Kenya's progress.
The meeting brought together President Ruto, Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah, and other bank officials, with the notable presence of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The gathering provided a platform to discuss ongoing projects and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
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Within Kenya, Afreximbank has been instrumental in financing various special economic zones, including Dongo Kundu in Mombasa, Sagana in Kirinyaga, and Nasewa in Busia.
These zones aim to foster economic growth by attracting investment, promoting trade, and creating employment opportunities.
Moreover, Afreximbank's financial support will extend to the operationalization of the Kenanie Leather Park and Rivatex Textiles East Africa.
These initiatives hold great potential for enhancing the country's manufacturing capabilities and contributing to the growth of Kenya's textile and leather industries.
Highlighting the bank's pivotal role in facilitating regional trade, President Ruto underscored the importance of Afreximbank's Pan-African Payment System.
This system is poised to boost intra-African trade by simplifying and expediting cross-border transactions, thereby creating a more favourable business environment for enterprises across the continent.
President Ruto's call for Africa's collective support of Afreximbank echoes the bank's commitment to fostering economic integration and sustainable development across the region.
As the African continent continues to strive for economic transformation, it is imperative for nations to embrace collaborative efforts and leverage the resources provided by institutions like Afreximbank.
By rallying behind Afreximbank, Africa can harness the bank's financial expertise, project funding capabilities, and innovative solutions to accelerate its economic growth, stimulate intra-African trade, and unlock vast potential across various sectors.