On 2 February 2026, a significant milestone was reached in Africa’s journey toward energy financing autonomy as African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) and African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) officially received the keys to the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) headquarters from the Government of Nigeria in Abuja. 

The ceremony took place during a high-level joint meeting of APPO Ministerial Committees focused on the final preparatory steps toward the bank’s launch, including governance, institutional readiness, and strategic priorities ahead of operationalisation. 
His Excellency Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) of Nigeria, presided over the handover, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing Africa’s energy future and strengthening the continental energy architecture. 

Among the distinguished attendees was Mr. Zakaria Dosso, Managing Director of AEICORP, the financial arm of APPO and a key actor in mobilising investment for Africa’s energy landscape. AEICORP’s presence underscored the organisation’s integral role in advancing the Bank’s establishment and ensuring alignment among stakeholders on its strategic direction. 
Delegations from APPO Member Countries — including Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and Senegal — participated in critical discussions aimed at fast-tracking the AEB’s readiness for operations. The meeting also included a guided tour of the completed headquarters at the Africa Trade Centre, Abuja, where officials were briefed on the facility’s operational framework and state of preparedness. 
Designed to mobilise financing for energy projects across Africa and address persistent funding gaps in the sector, the AEB is poised to be a flagship continental financial institution. With an initial capital base projected at US $5 billion, the Bank will play a pivotal role in supporting critical energy infrastructure, catalysing investments, and strengthening energy security across the continent. 

AEICORP has been at the forefront of driving this initiative with APPO and Afreximbank — advancing multilateral cooperation and ensuring that Africa builds financial capacity to support its energy ambitions. The formal transfer of the headquarters marks a decisive step toward the Bank’s anticipated operational start as early as April–June 2026. 
As AEICORP continues its mission to mobilise capital and structure investments across Africa’s energy value chains, this development represents not only an institutional achievement but also a bold step toward energy self-reliance, economic growth, and sustainable development for the continent.