Helmy Ghazi Leads New Africa Energy Bank Launch

The Africa Energy Bank (AEB) has officially commenced operations with Helmy Ghazi appointed as its pioneer president. The launch occurred during the bank's inaugural General Assembly in Abuja on October 31, 2026, and was announced by Afreximbank and the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation.

The General Assembly also established the bank's first Board of Directors, comprising representatives from both public and private sectors, as well as key policy institutions across Africa. The AEB is designed as an independent, supranational, pan-African financial institution with an authorized capital of $5 billion.

Its mission is to mobilize funding from various sources to support energy development, including oil and gas production, power generation, and investments in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Ghazi, who has over 25 years of banking experience, will focus on operationalizing the bank, enhancing governance, attracting capital, and financing energy projects.

The AEB aims to address Africa's estimated $200 billion energy investment need and support a just energy transition.