Arab Monetary Fund signs MoU with African Export-Import Bank

ABU DHABI, The Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets the foundation for cooperation and interoperability between Buna, the cross-border and multi-currency payment system owned by the AMF, and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), owned by Afreximbank.

Under the MoU, Buna and PAPSS will cooperate to achieve efficient interoperability between their respective platforms and act as payment gateways that link the Arab region to the African continent. Buna and PAPSS interoperability will allow their participants to process fast, cost-effective, and secure cross-border payments in multi-currencies, and expand their footprint in the global payment landscape.

This strategic collaboration is in line with Buna’s mission to play a pivotal role in supporting the growth of trade and investments between the Arab region and Africa. It highlights the promising opportunity and high potential for payment systems like Buna and PAPSS to drive and support the growth of trade exchange and investment flows between the Arab world and Africa.

Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Abdulrahman A. Al Hamidy, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, highlighted the important role of Afreximbank and the AMF in leading strategic initiatives that can strengthen the economic ties between the Arab region and the African continent and support the global efforts to promote financial inclusion and improve access to appropriate financial services.

Dr. Al Hamidy said, “Our collaboration represents an exemplary model of the leading role that the AMF and Afreximbank can play by working together to enable efficient access to payments, in line with the “G20 roadmap” to enhance cross-border payments. Buna’s success to establish interoperability with regional market infrastructure like PAPSS is another key milestone in Buna’s continuous efforts to expand its regional and global network and increase the value it brings to its participants. We also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Arab Bank of Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for its support in establishing this partnership between the AMF and Afreximbank.”

Professor Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, said, “The MoU with BUNA is yet another milestone that PAPSS has registered after its commercial launch. The Arab World and Africa have a long history of trade relations and the PAPSS-BUNA partnership will further facilitate the growth of trade between the two regions. The integration will enable the banks across Africa and the Arab World to have a seamless and one-stop centre for supporting their clients to transfer value to their counterparts from either region. As chairperson of the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB), I am very proud of this outcome and thank the Arab Monetary Fund, BADEA, and the Islamic Trade Finance Company (ITFC) for their strong partnership.”

Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, BADEA Director-General, commended the leadership of the AMF and Afreximbank and the respective teams from BUNA and PAPSS on the signing of this MoU, which signals a remarkable milestone that opens up more work, enabling interoperability between the two systems for more trade and prosperity between the Continent and the Arab World. “BADEA reiterates its full support to this initiative and stands ready to provide needed assistance to deliver the BUNA – PAPSS interoperability,” he added.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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