President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses AfreximBank accession ceremony, 4 Feb

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday , 04 February 2026, deliver an address at the signing of the Instrument of Accession by South Africa to the Establishment Agreement of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank).

The signing ceremony marks South Africa’s formal transition to Class A Shareholder status in Afreximbank and signals the activation of a strategic partnership aimed at advancing industrial development, export-led growth, and deeper intra-African trade integration.

Afreximbank is a pan-African multilateral financial institution that facilitates, promotes and expands intra- and extra-African trade.

The bank is a key player in financing the continent's economic development and industrialisation.  

The ceremony will be attended by the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr George Elombi; members of the Bank’s Board and management; Ministers, senior government officials, captains of industry and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The partnership with Afreximbank is expected to support priority areas including industrial competitiveness, transformation and inclusive growth, as well as the expansion of intra-African trade and investment.

Sovereign membership offers South African companies, commercial banks as well as State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), more competitive trade finance; expanded funding for trade activities under the AfCFTA; greater participation in cross-border projects and investments; increased partnerships and cooperation with other African financial institutions, and access to various risk mitigation tools.

President Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address, outlining South Africa’s vision for industrialisation, export diversification, decarbonisation, and digitisation, as well as the country’s role in advancing Africa’s economic integration in line with the bank’s strategic mandate.

President Ramaphosa will address and officiate the signing ceremony of the Instrument of Accession by the Republic of South Africa to the Establishment Agreement of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 4 February 2026 
Venue: The Westcliff Hotel, Johannesburg 
Time: 08:00 - 10:00 am

Members of the media who wish to attend the session are advised to RSVP by sending  details to Khutjo Sebata on Khutjo@presidency.gov.za/079 898 4621  or Phumzile Kotane on pkotane@thedtic.gov.za/071 462 8246  by 14h00 on Tuesday , 03 February 2026.

Media enquiries:

Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President 
E-mail: media@presidency.gov.za