The African Export‑Import Bank and ZEP‑RE have entered a three‑year Memorandum of Understanding to address skills gaps in trade, insurance and risk management across the continent.

The agreement was signed at ZEP‑RE’s Nairobi headquarters by Stephen Kauma, Group Managing Director of Human Resources at Afreximbank, and Jephita Gwatipedza, Group Deputy CEO and COO of ZEP‑RE.

The MoU links Afreximbank’s Academy (AFRACAD) with the ZEP‑RE Academy to co‑create specialised learning and research programmes for African markets.

Core components of the collaboration

The partnership will focus on three pillars: a digital “Content Factory” producing e‑learning modules and toolkits; executive and professional training including masterclasses, certifications and short courses; and joint research and policy dialogue through studies, forums and webinars.

Afreximbank’s Stephen Kauma highlighted that expanding trade in Africa requires not only capital and infrastructure but also enhanced knowledge, skills and institutional capacity.

ZEP‑RE’s Jephita Gwatipedza added that sustainable trade growth depends on the ability of financing institutions to understand, price and manage associated risks.

Link to earlier joint initiatives

The new capacity‑building effort builds on the 2025 launch of the Trans‑Africa Bond Alliance, which supported roughly $185 million in bonds that year and $280 million in the first quarter of 2026.

The alliance operates under a $1 billion guarantee framework, including a $300 million joint facility for the COMESA region, covering risks from 24 cedents across five countries.

Implementation timeline and expected outcomes

Over the three‑year term, the two academies will roll out digital content and training programmes, with progress measured by the extent to which financial professionals and institutions are better equipped to support Africa’s evolving trade landscape.