Oramah urges a ‘second liberation’ through intra-African trade

Algiers, Algeria — 2025-09-05 16:00 EAT.

Outgoing Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah called for a ‘second liberation’ through economic independence powered by intra-African trade and self-reliance.

The Latest

• At IATF2025 in Algiers, Prof. Oramah framed the moment as Africa’s opportunity for economic emancipation, urging full use of AfCFTA and Afreximbank tools like PAPSS and targeted trade finance. Status: confirmed as of 2025-09-05 EAT. 

• He argued that political independence must evolve into industrial and financial independence. 

Context in Brief

• IATF serves as a platform for intra-African trade growth, connecting investors, businesses, and governments continent-wide. 

• Oramah highlighted Afreximbank’s role in facilitating value addition, through mechanisms like PAPSS. 

Law, Policy, and Process

• Constitution/Agreements: The AfCFTA agreement mandates institutional support for trade facilitation, including PAPSS. 

• Mandates: Afreximbank, in coordination with AU and AfCFTA Secretariat, leads trade-finance and payment infrastructure efforts through IATF and PAPSS. 

• Required Steps: Member states must implement value-addition policies, support intra-regional manufacturing, and back institutional growth.

Voices and Stakeholders

• Oramah: “Political independence without economic empowerment is nothing but glorified servitude… We are now engaged in a new struggle—one fought with ideas, investments, and industrialisation, not guns.” Prof. Benedict Oramah, Afreximbank President, IATF2025 

• African Union Deputy Chair (Amb. Haddadi): Highlighted low global share (2.9%) and rise in intra-African trade, now driven by manufactured goods. 

• AfCFTA Secretary-General (Wamkele Mene): Noted intra-African trade rebounded to $220.3 billion in 2024 (up 12.4 % from 2023). 

Evidence & Data

• Numbers:

  • Intra-African trade value: $220.3 billion (2024), +12.4 % from 2023. 

  • Africa’s global trade share: 2.9 %. 

  • Intra-Africa trade composition: 45 % manufactured goods vs 20 % for exports outside continent. 

• Documents: AfCFTA framework, Afreximbank program data from corporate disclosures.

• Verification: All quotes and stats cross-checked via Standard and Afreximbank releases.

Risks and Implications

• Economy: Boost in value addition and manufacturing could shift trade balance and reduce dependency on external markets.

• Governance: Institutional scaling (IATF as independent body) demands financing and strong continental coordination.

• Regional diplomacy: Oramah’s message underscores unity in trade negotiation and economic self-reliance.

What We Don’t Know

• What timeline is planned for IATF to become independent in Harare with seed funding? 

• How will Afreximbank manage leadership transition after Oramah steps down?

• What specific value-addition sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, others) will pilot independence strategy?

• How will governments respond to Oramah’s call in terms of policy adjustments or trade agreements?

• What measurement frameworks will track economic sovereignty progress?

Timeline

• 2015: Oramah begins Afreximbank presidency. 

• 2018–2023: Regular IATF events launch deals and platforms. 

• 2024: Intra-African trade rebounds to $220.3 billion. 

• 2025-09-05: Oramah issues ‘second liberation’ call at IATF2025. 

What to Watch

• Announcement on IATF’s move to Harare and funding specifics.

• Selection of new Afreximbank President and continuity strategies.

• Government trade and industrial policies aligned to Oramah’s vision.

• Growth indicators in intra-African manufacturing and trade value.