Benedict Okechukwu “Okey” Oramah, CON, is a renowned Nigerian economist who currently serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Early Life.
Born on July 24, 1961, in Ahoada, Nigeria, to Chief Lazarus A. and Francisca U. Oramah, Benedict Oramah is the youngest of four children.
Education.
Oramah attended the Merchants of Light School in Oba before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1983. He further obtained his Master’s and Ph.D. diplomas from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in the same field. He also earned an Advanced Management Certificate from Columbia Business School, New York. In 2018, he was appointed a Professor of International Trade and Finance by Adeleke University, Nigeria.
Career.
Oramah joined the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) as an Assistant Manager in 1992. He became one of the original employees of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in March 1994. He served as a Chief Analyst from 1994 until he was promoted to the position of Assistant Director in 1998 and then to Deputy Director in 2001. He became the substantive Director of the Planning and Business Development Department in 2004 and the Senior Director in 2007. In 2008, Oramah was appointed Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Banking¹. On July 13, 2015, Oramah succeeded Jean-Louis Ekra to become the third president of the bank. His appointment was renewed for a second five-year term in 2020.
Awards.
Oramah has received numerous recognitions and awards. In 2022, he was honored with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Age.
As of 2023, Benedict Oramah is 62 years old.
Relationship Status.
Oramah is married to Mrs. Chinelo Oramah. They have three daughters.
Parents.
Benedict Oramah was born to Chief Lazarus A. and Francisca U. Oramah.
Cars and Houses.
Information about Oramah’s cars and houses is not readily available.
Net Worth
Information about Oramah’s net worth is not documented.
Board Memberships.
Oramah serves as a chairman or member of the board for a number of organizations, including PAPSS, the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB), Sustainable Development Goals Centre for Africa (SDGCA), Journal of African Trade, International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), and the Obafemi Awolowo University Foundation.
Publications.
Oramah has published a book on “Foundations of Structured Trade Finance” and has written over 35 articles on a wide range of African economic, trade, and trade finance issues.
Contributions to Trade and Finance.
Oramah’s contributions to trade and finance are evident in his role at Afreximbank, where he has overseen significant growth and development.
Influence in the African Economy.
As the President of Afreximbank, Oramah has had a significant influence on the African economy.
FAQs on Benedict Okey Oramah.
Oramah holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan, Master’s and Ph.D. diplomas from the University of Ife, and an Advanced Management Certificate from Columbia Business School, New York.
Oramah is the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
In 2022, Oramah was honored with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Oramah is married to Mrs. Chinelo Oramah, and they have three daughters.
Oramah serves on the board of several organizations, including PAPSS, the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB), Sustainable Development Goals Centre for Africa (SDGCA), Journal of African Trade, International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), and the Obafemi Awolowo University Foundation.
