Dr Benedict Okey Oramah is set to emerge as the new President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). He would succeed Dr. Jean-Louis Ekra whose tenure ends later this year.
Oramah who has been the Executive Vice President in charge of Business Development and Corporate Banking at Afreximbank since October 2008 was unanimously chosen for the top job following his outstanding performance during a rigorous screening process conducted by the Bank’s board. It was gathered that he performed better than other candidates as he displayed excellent understanding of the demands of the position and operations of Afreximbank.
Until his elevation to the position of Executive President, Dr. Oramah has been supervising the Business Development, Syndications Specialized Finance, and Investment Banking operations of the Bank. He is expected to lead the Cairo-based institution into its new phase of strategic capital expansion, innovation and efficient service delivery on its trade finance mandate across Africa.
The Nigerian-born Dr. Oramah holds M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Economics obtained in 1987 and 1991 respectively from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He also possesses a B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics earned from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1983.
Dr. Oramah joined Afreximbank in 1994 as a Chief Analyst, rising to the position of Senior Director, Planning and Business Development Department in 2007. Prior to joining Afreximbank, Dr Oramah held the position of Assistant Manager (Research) at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank from 1992 to 1994.
Besides overseeing Afreximbank’s various cooperate activities, Dr Oramah has been a resource person at several trade finance conferences. He has been a regular speaker at UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD’s Annual African Oil & Gas Conference and Chairperson of the Africa Chapter of the International Factors Group (IFG).
Dr. Oramah has written over 30 articles on a range of African economic and trade related matters a bulk of which has been published in leading international journals.
[divider]