The President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict O. Oramah, has launched the second edition of Foundations and Evolution of Structured Trade Finance, a pivotal publication that chronicles decades of transformative practice in the trade finance sector across Africa and beyond.
The book launch took place during the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings in Abuja on July 10, marking a major intellectual milestone for the bank and its continued commitment to financial innovation in emerging markets.
Written by Professor Oramah himself—who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank—the revised edition provides an in-depth, practical guide to structuring trade finance transactions.
Drawing from a wealth of real-life case studies, it explores the principles, risks, and dynamic applications of Structured Trade Finance (STF), broadening its relevance far beyond commodity-linked deals to include complex commercial contexts.
“When I joined Afreximbank in 1994, the world was still in the grip of a severe sovereign debt crisis, and structured trade finance was just beginning to emerge as a tool for financing trade in challenging markets,” Professor Oramah recalled during the signing ceremony.
He emphasized the transformative power of STF: “Fundamentally, structured trade finance allows practitioners to be innovative, as its core principle allows for the transfer of risks from parties least able to bear them to those more able to absorb shocks.”
The updated edition introduces new chapters on supply chain finance, reserve-based lending, and the integration of emerging technologies—positioning the book as a key reference in today’s complex regulatory and financial ecosystem.
Originally focused on North-South trade structures, the book’s second edition now reflects the seismic shift in global trade flows.
Africa’s trade with other developing countries has surged from 23% in 1995 to 68% by 2024, highlighting the rise of South-South cooperation.
Meanwhile, trade with advanced economies has dropped to less than 50%.
Structured trade finance has been a critical engine in reversing Africa’s trend toward deindustrialization.
It has empowered African industrial hubs, fueled regional and national value chains, and supported the rise of SMEs as key players in continental trade.
As Afreximbank continues to champion intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the second edition of Professor Oramah’s book serves not only as a technical manual but also as a strategic blueprint for financial resilience and economic sovereignty on the continent.
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