Prof. Benedict Oramah, the outgoing President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, has received praises for his visionary and impactful leadership.Oramah received the compliment at a Farewell and Investiture Ceremony held at the St. Regis Al Masa Convention Centre in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.
He was commended for successfully transforming bold ideas into shared African progress.Under the theme “Decades of Impact as Building blocks for a Prosperous Future,” the two-day event stands as a defining moment for both the Bank and Global Africa, celebrating a legacy of Oramah’s achievement.The event also heralds a new era of transformation under the incoming president of Afreximbank, Dr George Elombi. A former Afreximbank President and Chairman of the Board, Mr Jean-Louis Ekra, said Oramah was a visionary leader in African development finance, whose passion for writing and dedication were legendary.
In 1996, he joined the bank as an executive vice-president, impressing colleagues with his `impressive command of banking and finance’ despite his academic background in agricultural economics.“At the investiture of President Benedict Oramah, on September 21st 2015, I made the statement that ‘For nearly two decades as my colleague and close collaborator, he has consistently demonstrated his deep attachment, unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to the growth and development of the bank.“I believe that Professor Oramah is the right man for the bank at this time; and Afreximbank is certainly the right institution to confront Africa’s trade finance challenges’.“Ten years later, I am profoundly moved to witness that Prof. Oramah has not only fulfilled that mandate, but has far surpassed every expectation.”He also lauded his wife, Chinelo, for her silent support as she managed their home while he worked tirelessly, waiting until their “three beautiful daughters had grown to young women” before pursuing her own aspirations.Dr George Elombi, incoming President and Chairman, Board of Directors, Afreximbank, praised his predecessor, Oramah, for transforming the institution from a modest bank into what he described as “Africa’s development supermarket.
”Elombi commended Oramah’s “clear vision and determination” in accelerating Africa’s trade and deepening the continent’s economic integration.“When he assumed office in 2015, his vision was clear, building upon the foundation established by his predecessor, and propelling the bank to become a leading force in Africa’s development,” he said.He also described Oramah as “a generous and energetic leader”, saying his energy and courage are very evident.He highlighted key achievements during Oramah’s tenure to include the establishment of specialised entities such as the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the Project Preparation Facility,and the African Medical Centre of Excellence,.These, he said, contributed to building a more inclusive and sustainable economic foundation for the continent.On Oramah’s attributes, pioneer President at Afreximbank, Mr Christopher Edordu, identified him as being audacious.He said Oramah was great in prolific writing, courageous, an innovation machine, entrepreneurial, and a repository of culture accumulation, among others.
Dangote
Mr Aliko Dangote, Founder & President/Chief Executive, Dangote Group, said: “The man Oramah is the man that makes impossible, possible.
