By Tikondane Vega

Nassau, June 14, Mana: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) President, Prof. Benedict Oramah has condoled President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera for the tragic loss of his Vice President Saulosi Chilima and eight others during a plane crash on Monday.

Prof. Oramah sent the condolence message during his keynote address on Thursday evening at the ongoing Afreximbank annual meeting being held in Bahamas at Baha Mar Convention, Arts & Entertainment Center in Nassau, from June 12-15, 2024.

At the meeting that has brought together on one platform thousands of people, including African and Caribbean leaders and senior government officials, policymakers, corporate leaders, bankers, academia, and other leaders, Orama urged the gathering to put Malawians into prayers as the country was going through its difficult time.

“Before I start my speech I would like to condole President, Chakwera and Malawians at large due to the plane accident that has claimed the life of Vice President, Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others. We were supposed to have Malawi leader at this meeting but he failed to make it due to this loss.

“I am sending my condolence message and prayers to the Malawi leader and should feel that we are together during this trying moment. May all those who lost their lives rest in peace and God should console the bereaved families,” he said.

On this, Oramah said his bank has been helping Malawi in different ways and shall continue to do so in many years to come in areas of infrastructural development and mega-farms among other important areas as one way to uplift socio-economic development.

Afreximbank, recently initiated construction of the “Magwero Industrial Park” in Lilongwe, an integrated industrial park set to accelerate the country’s industrialization.

At the Bank's Annual General meeting, several speakers including the African Union sent a condolence message to the Malawi government, and during the opening of the gathering on Monday, delegates observed a one-minute silence as a way of paying their respects to the late Vice President.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Dr Mwaiwawo Polepole who is leading Malawi delegates told Malawi News Agency (Mana) in Nassau that the condolence messages are showing unity and love to Malawi and commended delegates for the gesture.

Dr Polepole said Malawi's presence at the meeting signifies the commitment that President Chakwera's administration has to trade and investment which was a key focus in the Banks 2024 meeting.

In recognition of the increasingly closer linkages between Africa and the Caribbean and the movement towards a Global Africa uniting Africans, their diaspora, and descendants worldwide, the three-day event is taking place jointly with the 3rd Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF).