Afreximbank appoints Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Southern Africa Regional Operations Director

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) announced the appointment of Peter Adeshola Olowononi as the Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa, effective May 1. Olowononi steps into this role, succeeding Humphrey Nwugo, who has been reassigned to lead operations in East Africa. The Southern Africa region is a critical operational zone for Afreximbank, encompassing 13 countries with its regional office situated in Zimbabwe.

Before assuming his new responsibilities, Olowononi held the position of Director of Client Relations for Anglophone West Africa. In this capacity, he was instrumental in managing risk assets valued at over US$12 billion and contributed to revenue generation exceeding US$1 billion. His tenure also saw a substantial growth in Afreximbank's balance sheet in the Anglophone West Africa region, increasing by more than US$10 billion between 2015 and 2025.

Olowononi's experience includes significant involvement in financing major industrial and infrastructure projects across Africa. He played a key role in projects such as the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, various fertilizer plants, and the expansion of the Federal Ocean Terminal in Onne. Furthermore, he supported vital healthcare and road infrastructure initiatives in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia, while also leading financing efforts in Nigeria's oil and gas sectors.

Afreximbank recognizes Olowononi as a pivotal figure in the bank's strategic financing endeavors, particularly within Nigeria's oil and gas industry, where he is acknowledged as a leading expert. His contributions extend to trade finance, including support for intra-African trade in cement and financing initiatives with prominent cocoa traders and processors in Ghana and Nigeria. The bank also noted his role in implementing interventions through commercial banks, central banks, and ministries of finance, helping institutions navigate economic challenges like the 2018 commodity price crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This appointment underscores Afreximbank's continued commitment to expanding its influence in fostering trade, investment, and economic development throughout the African continent.