On 13th December, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa’s leading multilateral financial institution, held the remarkable ceremony for its new African Trade Centre (AATC) and global headquarters in Egypt’s New Capital. 

Situated in the Diplomatic District of Egypt’s New Capital, approximately 45 kilometres east of Cairo, the Afreximbank African Trade Centre will be housed in a modern, strategically planned environment alongside government ministries, foreign embassies, and international organisations. This facility will be the first of its kind in North Africa, serving as a hub for trade intelligence, capacity building, innovation, and continental connectivity.

“The establishment of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC) in Egypt’s New Capital reflects Egypt’s important role in driving continental economic integration and trade facilitation. As the host country of Afreximbank’s global headquarters, Egypt is proud to deepen this collaboration through a landmark facility that will serve as a hub for trade intelligence, capacity building, innovation, and continental connectivity,” said Egypt’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Dr Mostafa Madbouly.

Economic impact and support for African trade

To date, Afreximbank has disbursed US$41 billion into the Egyptian economy, supporting strategic sectors such as energy, telecommunications, construction, and manufacturing. This investment has strengthened Egypt-Africa trade and investment ties, enabling Egyptian entities to capitalise on opportunities across Africa.

The new Trade Centre will house technology and SME incubation centres, alongside a digital African trade gateway offering services including trade information, customer due diligence, and payments. This infrastructure is designed to accelerate trade flows, support entrepreneurship, and enhance connectivity between African markets and global partners.

According to Afreximbank’s President and Chairman, Dr George Elombi, “This Afreximbank African Trade Centre in the New Capital is meant not simply to accommodate the expansion of the Bank, but provide a concrete solution designed to address the lack of trade and investment information among African businesses; a challenge that has confounded the growth of intra-African trade and investment for nearly seven decades.”

State-of-the-art facilities and sustainability commitment

Occupying a 48,888-square-metre site, the Afreximbank development will feature two basement levels and six floors with a total gross built-up area of 156,147 square metres. 

The centre will provide 57,298 square metres of office space for Afreximbank’s expanding workforce and additional space for African and international agencies involved in trade, finance, and investment, as well as foreign African diplomatic missions.

Facilities on the complex will include a trade information centre, a world-class library and knowledge hub, an innovation and SME incubation centre, a business centre, a 110-room aparthotel, a 750-seat conference centre, an exhibition centre, retail and dining outlets, and extensive support infrastructure, including a 1,200-bay parking structure.

The architectural design features interconnected blocks surrounding a landscaped internal street. 

The green courtyards, shaded walkways, and outdoor spaces that respond to climate show Afreximbank’s commitment to sustainability and employee well-being.

The complex is designed to achieve Gold-level LEED certification or higher, incorporating smart energy-efficient systems, solar power, water-saving technologies, and climate-adaptive features.

Hassan Allam Construction, one of Egypt’s leading engineering and construction firms, has been appointed as the main contractor under a US$249.5 million contract. EHAF Consulting Engineers leads architectural design and project supervision.

Driving continental trade and economic integration

Scheduled for completion in early 2029, the AATC in Cairo follows the groundbreaking of similar centres in Barbados (March 2025) and Abuja (April 2025), with ongoing projects in Harare and Kampala. The Afreximbank African Trade Centre network will span key commercial hubs including Abuja, Harare, Kampala, Cairo, Abidjan, Yaoundé, Bridgetown, Kigali, and Tunis.

Together, these centres aim to connect buyers, sellers, suppliers, service providers, enterprises, governments, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, development organisations, and the wider African and global trade community. 

By providing trade information, market intelligence, financing, networking, and collaboration opportunities. This helps boost trade between African countries, strengthens economic cooperation, and supports sustainable growth.