African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and IBDL Learning Group (IBDL) today in Cairo, Egypt, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) setting up a strategic partnership to strengthen Global Africa’s human capital for trade and equip professionals, entrepreneurs, businesses and public institutions with the skills required to drive trade, industrialisation and economic transformation across the continent
The MoU, signed at the Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, by Mr. Stephen Kauma, Managing Director, Human Resources, for Afreximbank, and Dr. Khaled Khallaf, Chief Executive Officer of IBDL, brings the expertise of the two institutions to jointly design and implement programmes and initiatives aimed at building the human and business capabilities required to drive and facilitate regional trade in Africa. It also seeks to equip African professionals with the advanced skills needed to perform effectively and compete in the global trade landscape.
Commenting on the MoU, Mr. Stephen Kauma, Managing Director, Human Resources, Afreximbank, said, “at a time when skills development is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler of Africa’s economic transformation, this partnership represents a tangible investment in the continent’s future trade leaders and institutions”.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Khaled Khallaf, CEO of IBDL Learning Group, said: “We are honored to partner with Afreximbank in advancing Africa’s human capital agenda and supporting the vision of a more integrated and competitive African economy. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to equipping professionals, entrepreneurs, and institutions across the continent with globally recognized skills and practical capabilities that drive trade, innovation, and sustainable economic growth. Through this partnership, we look forward to developing impactful learning pathways that empower Africa’s current and future trade leaders to seize the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
Under the terms of the MoU, Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD), will serve as the implementation for a wide range of capacity building programmes designed to strengthen Africa’s trade and industrial capabilities.
The collaboration will include the development of joint professional certification programme in Intra-African trade, Industrialization and trade Intelligence as well as joint bootcamps for trade supply chain and e-commerce skills in cooperation with major operating companies. This will also include flagship masterclass for African diplomats such as the African Diplomacy Flagship Certification programme which was jointly initiated and implemented in 2024.
In the near future, the partnership will also deliver joint African economic and trade skills masterclass for non- African Diplomats, including the joint advocacy programmes, conferences, workshops and webinars such as Afreximbank’s AFRACAD Trade Voices Webinar Series to promote knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and greater awareness of opportunities arising from the AfCFTA and the Global Africa agenda.
Beyond programme delivery, the two institutions will also collaborate to expand access to high-quality digital learning, by hosting selected IBDL courses on AFRACAD Learning Management Systems, by undertaking joint marketing initiatives and exploring additional opportunities to broaden the reach and impact of their learning offerings. As part of this process, IBDL will also facilitate the full accreditation of AFRACAD by Missouri State University.
The partnership reflects Afreximbank’s continued commitment to developing the human capital required to transform Africa into a globally competitive trading and industrial powerhouse. By combining the strengths of AFRACAD and IBDL, the two institutions aim to nurture a new generation of skilled African professionals capable of driving sustainable economic growth, regional integration and prosperity across Africa and Global Africa.
Established in 2014, IBDL Learning Group is a global organisation dedicated to advancing international business education. It inspires professionals to pursue a transformative journey of continuous learning and empowers individuals to achieve exceptional results through cutting-edge learning solutions and a strong commitment to quality.
About Afreximbank
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A strong supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody’s (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
For more information, visit: www.afreximbank.com
About IBDL Learning Group
IBDL Learning Group (IBDL), is a global organization established in 2014 with a focus on international business education
