African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) have formally announced the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB).
The announcement was made during the AEB’s inaugural general meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, on 31 October 2026.
The creation of the Africa Energy Bank reaffirms African governments’ determination to secure their own energy future. This move is in recognition that significant investments in energy generation and transmission was required to accelerating industrial growth and to leveraging the tremendous opportunities from the emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).
The Bank is being established at a time when the continent’s energy investment needs are estimated at US$200 billion. Traditional providers of short- and long-term financing to Africa’s energy sector are withdrawing funding from fossil fuels, even as oil and gas remain vital to the continent’s energy systems. The Africa Energy Bank aims to bridge this financing gap while supporting a just energy transition for African countries.
With an authorised capital of US$5 billion, the AEB will support projects across the energy value chain, including exploration and production, transportation, processing, refining, and distribution. These investments are intended to strengthen productive capacity, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and promote intra-African trade in energy goods. The Bank’s mandate also includes promoting robust African participation in the continent’s energy sector to ensure that Africa’s energy future is shaped by Africans.
The AEB will operate as an independent, supranational pan-African financial institution. It will seek to attract investments from governments, national oil companies, financial institutions, and private investors to support energy development across the continent.
The headquarters of the Africa Energy Bank is located on the third floor of the Afreximbank African Trade Centre in the Central Area of Abuja, Nigeria.
Nigeria emerged as the host country following a competitive bidding process and committed to providing the bank’s headquarters, alongside other logistical and financial obligations.
With the handover of the Abuja headquarters, stakeholders say the bank is now firmly positioned to begin operations and reshape energy financing across Africa.
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