By Esther Ososanya
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has conferred one of the nation’s highest honours, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on Prof. Benedict Oramah, outgoing President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in recognition of his decade-long transformative leadership and outstanding contribution to Africa’s economic growth.
The prestigious conferment took place on the final day of the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings, held in Abuja, where President Tinubu used the occasion to both celebrate Africa’s development strides and urge a shift toward homegrown economic models rooted in institutional strength and African resilience.
A Legacy of Leadership
Prof. Oramah’s tenure at Afreximbank, which spanned ten years, saw the bank grow from a regional player into a continental economic force.
Under his leadership, the bank’s total assets soared to $43.5 billion, and cumulative disbursements reached $155 billion, supporting trade finance, industrial development, and pandemic recovery across Africa and the Caribbean.
Commending Oramah’s leadership, President Tinubu described the GCON award as a symbol of appreciation from the Nigerian people and a call to action for other African institutions to “rise to the challenge of Africa’s economic independence”.
African Solutions for African Challenges
In his emotional acceptance remarks, Oramah reflected on the bank’s journey and called for a bold departure from “failed international best practices” that have held Africa back.
Instead, he urged the continent to embrace African best practices, driven by shared values, cooperation, and economic sovereignty.
Oramah said, “Afreximbank is a symbol of what Africans can do when we believe in ourselves. Our work must continue, grounded in African reality and ambition.”
Throughout his career, Oramah has championed intra-African trade, the development of local value chains, and the financial architecture needed to free Africa from external dependency.
His contributions have shaped major trade platforms, including PAPSS (Pan-African Payment and Settlement System) and MANSA, the due diligence repository for African trade.
The honour, normally reserved for Nigeria’s most distinguished citizens and global allies, marks the first time in recent years that a pan-African institutional leader has received the GCON in recognition of a legacy that transcends borders.
Also speaking at the event, Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, noted that Oramah’s legacy extends far beyond banking.
“He’s not just a banker; he’s a builder of systems, an architect of trade reform, and a visionary who has helped move Africa closer to economic unity,” Edun stated.
What’s Next for Afreximbank
As Oramah bows out, Afreximbank faces the challenge of maintaining the momentum he built.
The bank remains at the centre of Africa’s post-pandemic recovery, industrialisation push, and energy transition strategy, including the newly launched African Energy Bank, a $5 billion facility headquartered in Abuja.
With the GCON title now to his name, Prof. Oramah joins a rare circle of honourees who have left indelible marks on the Nigerian and African economy.
As Afreximbank prepares for a new chapter, the spotlight remains on how African institutions can scale impact while upholding the vision of their founding architects.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.