05/06/2026
Cybastion was honored on April 30, with the “Industries of the Future Deal of the Year” award at the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Annual Conference 2026, which recognized a landmark multi-million dollar financing guarantee to advance digital infrastructure in Côte d’Ivoire.
Last August, the EXIM Board of Directors approved more than $100 million in financing guarantees to support the construction of a national data center, and to export U.S. technology to digitalize the Ivorian government services.
“On behalf of Cybastion, we are deeply honored by this recognition, which reflects a new model for partnership, investment, and long-term impact,” said Armand Tchokokam, Cybastion's Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer, following the award ceremony.
Sarah Whitten, EXIM Senior Vice President, Global Head of Origination, introduced Cybastion's recognition of “Industries of the Future Deal of the Year” award at the awards ceremony.
Mr. Tchokokam accepted the award with the Cybastion team, including John Saylor, Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development; Oscar Parlback, Director, Strategic Initiatives, and Shanta Bryant Gyan, Director of Communications and Marketing.
The EXIM financing guarantee directly advances the company's Digital Fast Track program, an accelerated roadmap to build resilient digital ecosystems in Africa through integrated infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital solutions, and digital training.
As the lead exporter, Cybastion will harness the power of a consortium of U.S. technology partners to build resilient digital infrastructure and advance the country’s digital sovereignty.
Moderated by Alyssa Pettus, EXIM Chief of Staff, Mr. Tchokokam, who is also a Cybastion co-founder, joined Venkee Sharma, Executive Chairman of Aquatech, on an engaging plenary panel, "Scaling America’s Export Engine".
On the panel, Mr. Tchokokam spoke about how the financing deal demonstrates that large-scale digital infrastructure projects in Africa are bankable and can be successfully deployed in emerging markets with the support of U.S. financing guarantees. It also sends a clear signal to global investors that Côte d’Ivoire and Africa’s emerging markets are increasingly attractive destinations for long-term investment.
The CFO also served as a panelist on at the breakout session, "Financing Africa’s Strategic Corridors: Leveraging U.S. Export Credit for Bankable Infrastructure and Industrial Growth", organized by the Corporate Council on Africa.