Haitham El-Maayergi, Executive Vice President of Global Trade Bank at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), said Africa's digital future depends on strengthening the links between its markets and on tying investment in data centres, fibre-optic networks, energy and artificial intelligence to the real needs of African businesses.

He was speaking at a session titled "Horizons of Innovation: Reshaping Africa's Economy" at the El Alamein Africa Forum 2026, where he stressed the importance of using digital infrastructure to help companies expand their businesses and increase their participation in cross-border trade.

Afreximbank supports this approach by financing infrastructure and providing platforms, including the African Trade Gateway and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which help companies reach markets, obtain financing and make cross-border payments.

El-Maayergi underlined the importance of strengthening African ownership, developing skills and supporting innovation so that a larger share of the value generated by data and technology stays on the continent.

He said the success of digital infrastructure investment is measured by the opportunities it creates to increase the number of African companies taking part in cross-border trade, create jobs and strengthen their global competitiveness.