Carrer : George Elombi, the discreet jurist who became Afreximbank president

On June 28, 2025, at the end of the annual shareholders meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Abuja, Dr. George Elombi was officially appointed President and Chairman of the Board of this major pan-African institution. He thus becomes the fourth leader to head the Bank since its creation in 1993.

A career built over time

Born in Cameroon, George Elombi joined Afreximbank in 1996 as a Legal Officer. Twenty-nine years later, a man from within the organization rises to the top. He climbed the ranks step by step: Senior Legal Officer (2001–2003), Chief Legal Officer (2003–2008), then Deputy Director of Legal Services and Executive Secretary (2008–2010), before being appointed Director and Executive Secretary (2010–2015). Since then, he held the position of Executive Vice President responsible for governance, legal affairs, and corporate services.

Legal expertise serving development

Before joining Afreximbank, George Elombi taught law at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. He holds an LL.M. and a Ph.D. in commercial arbitration from the London School of Economics, as well as a Master’s degree in law from the University of Yaoundé. This dual academic and institutional experience made him one of the key architects of the Bank’s legal and structural development.

His role was central in structuring the Afreximbank group, including the creation of strategic subsidiaries that enhanced the institution’s ability to act across Africa. Under his leadership, one of the Bank’s most critical services – equity mobilization – enabled the institution to reach a total of USD 3.6 billion in ordinary equity by the end of April 2025.

Proven leadership in times of crisis

George Elombi’s career stands out for his effective management of critical situations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he chaired Afreximbank’s Emergency Response Committee. Under his direction, the Bank mobilized more than $2 billion for the acquisition and distribution of vaccines in African and Caribbean countries. This quick and coordinated response demonstrated his ability to combine strategic action with operational responsiveness.

Looking ahead, I see Afreximbank as a driver of Africa’s industrialization and the reclamation of the dignity of Africans, wherever they may be

In his speech, George Elombi forcefully expressed his vision: “I have worked alongside remarkable colleagues and extraordinary leaders to help shape this institution’s vision, its mandate as well as its growth. As we look to the future, I see Afreximbank as a force for industrializing Africa and for regaining the dignity of Africans wherever they are. I will work to preserve this important asset.”

He took up the goal expressed by his predecessor Benedict Oramah: to make Afreximbank a $250 billion institution in the next ten years. A massive challenge in a globally uncertain economic context, but also a realistic ambition considering the growing dynamism of intra-African trade, notably driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), of which Afreximbank is one of the main financial supporters.

A succession in continuity

The transition between Benedict Oramah, who will step down in September 2025 after a decade at the helm, and George Elombi had been prepared for a long time. The selection process, launched in January 2025, was rigorous: a global call for applications, a shortlist by an international executive recruitment firm, followed by recommendations to the Board of Directors and final approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders.

This governance model demonstrates Afreximbank’s institutional maturity and its desire to maintain stability in its orientations. George Elombi’s mandate, initially for five years and renewable once, is part of a long-term strategy focused on financing major projects, financial inclusion, and strengthening African value chains.

A discreet but determined president

Less known to the general public than his predecessor, George Elombi stands out for his discretion, intellectual rigor, and loyalty to the institution. Through the positions he has held, he has earned the trust of shareholders, institutional partners, and internal teams.

His technocratic approach, based on a fine understanding of the continent’s legal and financial issues, may well be Afreximbank’s key asset in the coming years. In an environment marked by climate challenges, geopolitical tensions, and the need to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation, his measured but ambitious leadership will be closely watched.