African Export‑Import Bank (Afreximbank) has broken ground on its African Trade Centre (AATC) in Egypt’s New Capital, a key milestone for the continent’s trade facilitation. The centre, which will also serve as the bank’s new global headquarters, is located in the Diplomatic District, about 45 kilometres east of Cairo. Egypt’s Prime Minister, Dr Mostafa Madbouly, attended the ceremony, underscoring the country’s role in driving continental economic integration and trade facilitation.
Afreximbank President Dr George Elombi thanked the Egyptian government for its support since the bank’s establishment in 1993. He highlighted that the centre will address the long‑standing lack of trade and investment information among African businesses, a barrier that has hindered intra‑African trade and investment for decades.
The AATC will house a trade information centre, an innovation and SME incubation centre, a business centre and a conference centre. The complex will occupy a 48,888‑square‑metre site, with two basement levels and six floors, providing a total gross built‑up area of 156,147 square metres. Designed to achieve Gold‑level LEED certification or higher, the building will feature smart energy‑efficient systems, solar power integration and water‑saving technologies.
The project forms part of Afreximbank’s broader vision to develop a network of African Trade Centres in strategic commercial hubs across Africa and the Caribbean. These centres will offer trade information, market intelligence, financing, networking and collaboration opportunities to accelerate trade, strengthen economic cooperation and drive intra‑African growth. The Cairo AATC is slated for completion in early 2029, with similar projects underway in Harare, Kampala and other locations. The network will include hubs in Abuja, Harare, Kampala, Cairo, Abidjan, Yaoundé, Bridgetown, Kigali and Tunis, connecting buyers, sellers, suppliers, service providers, enterprises, governments and financial institutions.
The project, valued at US$249.5 million, is expected to generate significant employment during construction and operation, stimulating local economic growth. The contract has been awarded to Hassan Allam Construction, a leading Egyptian engineering and construction firm, while architectural design and project supervision are being led by the renowned EHAF Consulting Engineers. The AATC in Cairo represents a major step toward enhanced trade facilitation and economic integration in Africa, and its completion is eagerly anticipated.
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