ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build professional and institutional capacity in trade, insurance, reinsurance, risk management and trade facilitation across Africa.
The MOU brings together ZEP-RE Academy and Afreximbank Academy (AFRACAD) to create and scale learning, research and knowledge programmes that combine their expertise, according to a joint statement released by both partners.
By combining Afreximbank’s deep expertise in African trade and trade finance with ZEP-RE’s extensive experience in insurance, reinsurance and risk management, the two institutions will develop practical learning solutions that equip professionals, institutions and market participants with the skills and knowledge to strengthen Africa’s growing trade and investment ecosystem.
Under the three-year partnership, which may be renewed by mutual agreement, AFRACAD and ZEP-RE Academy will work together across three strategic pillars:
The two institutions will co-create digital learning content, including e-learning courses, toolkits and African case studies, through a joint “content factory” approach that will identify thematic priorities and turn them into structured and reusable learning resources. These resources will be made available through AFRACAD’s digital learning platform and/or ZEP-RE Academy’s Learning Management System, expanding access to relevant learning across African markets.
Afreximbank and ZEP-RE will jointly design and deliver professional and executive development programmes in areas including risk and reinsurance, trade guarantees, trade facilitation, financial infrastructure and market development themes. These may include short courses, executive masterclasses, certification programmes and other structured learning, delivered in person, virtually or through blended formats.
The partnership will support research, knowledge creation and thought leadership through joint studies, webinars, policy dialogues and industry forums. These platforms will convene practitioners, regulators, development partners and private-sector leaders to exchange knowledge and develop practical responses to emerging market challenges.
Mr Jephita Gwatipedza, Group Deputy CEO and COO of ZEP-RE, said, “Trade cannot expand sustainably unless the institutions that finance and facilitate it can also understand, price and manage the risks involved. This partnership will connect trade finance with insurance and reinsurance expertise, helping to build stronger institutional capability across African markets. 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.”
The MoU builds on the existing partnership between Afreximbank and ZEP-RE. In 2025, the two institutions launched the Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA) to strengthen insurance capacity, facilitate cross-border trade and support the efficient movement of goods and investment across Africa.
Afreximbank is a pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade.
ZEP-RE is a pan-African multilateral reinsurance institution and specialised agency of COMESA established in 1990 to develop the insurance and reinsurance industry, mobilises investment, deepen financial inclusion and support capacity building across Africa.