Afreximbank signs $500m term loan facility with the Central Bank of Tunisia to support realisation of strategic goals

African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, has signed a $500 million term loan facility with the Central Bank of Tunisia on behalf of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tunisia, to support the country in the execution of its key socio-economic priorities.

The facility was signed at Afreximbank’s Headquarters during a meeting attended by Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, and Dr.  Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, together with senior delegations from both institutions.

The facility, which adds to the $1.2 billion previously disbursed to the central bank, will help the government to meet maturing trade debt obligations, finance the import of essential goods, including fuel, fertilizers, and food items, and boost access to foreign-currency liquidity.

The transaction also reinforces Afreximbank’s countercyclical role and commitment to advancing the economic and structural transformation of the continent.

Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said: “This facility reaffirms Afreximbank’s strong commitment to supporting Tunisia and the continent’s sustainable socio-economic development.

We thank the Government of Tunisia, through the Central Bank of Tunisia, and the Ministry of Finance for the growing collaboration, especially at a most critical time when international development finance institutions continue to deprioritise Africa. For us, the message is unequivocal: African institutions must lead Africa’s development.”

Dr Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, said: “We welcome the continued partnership with Afreximbank, which provides important support to Tunisia at a time when access to trade finance and foreign currency liquidity remains critical to sustaining essential imports.

This facility demonstrates the value of African financial institutions working together to address shared economic priorities and support national resilience.”

Through its trade finance, project finance and liquidity support instruments, Afreximbank continues to help African economies to strengthen trade resilience, support essential imports, and expand their participation in intra-African and global trade.