Afreximbank and ZEP-RE have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build African expertise in trade, finance, insurance and risk management as the continent seeks to strengthen capacity to manage increasingly complex trade and investment challenges.

Both parties signed the agreement at ZEP-RE’s offices in Nairobi by Afreximbank’s managing director Stephen Kauma and the ZEP-RE’s chief executive officer and chief operating officer, Jephita Gwatipedza.

The MOU, subject to renewal or cancellation after three years, will combine Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) and ZEP-RE Academy to create learning programmes around three pillars.

The first pillar focuses on digital learning content, with the two institutions creating e-learning courses, toolkits and African case studies through a joint “content factory.”

The materials will be made available through their respective digital learning platforms.

The other pillars are professional and executive development, covering areas such as risk and reinsurance, research,  and thought leadership through joint studies, webinars and policy dialogues.

Mr Kauma stressed the need for Africa to look beyond finances in expanding trade, noting that capacity-building was equally important.

“Through AFRACAD, Afreximbank has made capacity building central to its mandate of transforming Global African trade. Our partnership with ZEP-RE brings together complementary expertise in trade finance, insurance, reinsurance and risk management,” Mr Kauma stated.

Mr Gwatipedza spoke in the same vein, highlighting the importance of partnership in expanding trade across Africa.

“Trade cannot expand sustainably unless the institutions that finance and facilitate it can also understand, price and manage the risks involved,” Mr Gwatipedza said. “This partnership will connect trade finance with insurance and reinsurance expertise, helping to build stronger institutional capability across African markets.”

Mr Gwatipedza added: “Its success will ultimately be measured not by the number of programmes delivered, but by whether professionals and institutions are better equipped to support Africa’s evolving trade and investment landscape.”

Afreximbank and ZEP-RE launched the Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA) in 2025 to strengthen insurance capacity.