By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
The African Union (AU) and
the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have reaffirmed their commitment
to deepen collaboration on infrastructure development, with a focus on
unlocking trade, facilitating the movement of people and advancing regional integration
across the continent.
The commitment was
reaffirmed on Monday, October 19, 2026, when AU Commissioner for Infrastructure
and Energy Lerato D. Mataboge met with Afreximbank President George Elombi at
the bank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
During the meeting, Mataboge
presented the department’s priorities across transport, energy, digital
transformation and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa
(PIDA).
The discussions also focused
on cooperation towards implementing the African Union’s 2027 Theme of the Year,
“AU at the Dawn of its 25th Anniversary: Leveraging the Full Potential of SAATM
& New Technologies for Continental Integration.”
Particular emphasis was
placed on mobilising financing for the aviation sector to support the Single
African Air Transport Market (SAATM), an initiative aimed at strengthening air
connectivity across Africa.
The 2027 theme offers an
opportunity to address persistent barriers to air transport access,
connectivity and sustainability by linking political commitment with financing
to deliver a more connected continent.
