The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Saturday congratulated the new President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank, George Elombi, on his assumption of office as President of Afreximbank, praising his track record and pledging personal support for his leadership.
Dangote, African richest billionaire, who stated this on Saturday while speaking during Elombi’s investiture ceremony in Cairo, Egypt capital, also commended him for his role in Afreximbank’s transformation over the past decade, noting how the institution had grown from a $6bn operation to about $44bn in assets.
According to him, the incoming president’s steady hand during the bank’s COVID-19 crisis response, which covered Africa and the Caribbean, showed Africa’s ability to handle global shocks and should be a model for other institutions.
Dangote, who added that Elombi’s “drive, boldness, commitment, and steady disposition” were suited to steering a new chapter for the lender, also stressed that the president’s focus on the protection of African trade and production was critical for the continent’s economic security, particularly in creating opportunities for its expanding youth population.
The industrialist also linked Afreximbank’s trajectory to broader continental ambitions, saying, “At the WTO, our Vision 2030 Strategic Plan projects that we will be a $100bn organisation in the next five years.
“However, having you now at the leadership of this great institution, I am sure our targets will be met much sooner based on our existing great partnership,” he said, just as he also pledged the support of the Dangote Group to the bank under its new leadership, stating, “You have my personal support and assurances that, as Dangote Group, we shall be by your side as you lead this new success of our future plan.”
