By Emmanuel Nduka
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Africa’s industrialisation by championing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as a key driver of investment, manufacturing and export-led growth across the continent.
The Bank made the commitment during the 2nd International Special Economic Zones – Infrastructure and Investment Conference held in South Africa, where policymakers, investors and industry leaders gathered to explore practical strategies for boosting industrial development and deepening regional integration through SEZs.
Representing Afreximbank, the Bank’s Director of Client Relations for Southern Africa, Andrew Masuwa, said Africa must move beyond its traditional reliance on raw commodity exports by expanding value addition, strengthening manufacturing capacity and promoting export-oriented industries.
Speaking during a panel session titled, “Why Invest in SEZs Now?”, Masuwa highlighted the critical role of Special Economic Zones in attracting both domestic and foreign investment, enhancing regional value chains and improving the competitiveness of African industries.
He noted that well-developed SEZs have the potential to create jobs, stimulate industrial production, increase exports and position African economies to benefit more effectively from continental trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
On the sidelines of the conference, the Afreximbank delegation also held high-level discussions with Eswatini’s Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini, alongside the country’s Ministers of Finance, Public Works and Transport, and Commerce, Industry and Trade.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration to advance trade, investment and industrial development in Southern Africa, with Afreximbank reaffirming its commitment to supporting strategic initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth and regional economic integration across the continent.
For years, Afreximbank has made industrialization and export development a central pillar of its mandate to transform African economies. Beyond providing trade finance, the Cairo-based multilateral financial institution has invested significantly in the development of industrial parks and SEZs financing infrastructure that supports manufacturing, value addition and intra-African trade.
The Bank has backed SEZ and industrial park projects across several African countries, viewing them as critical platforms for reducing the continent’s dependence on raw commodity exports, strengthening regional value chains and unlocking opportunities under the AfCFTA.
