The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Group posted robust financial results for 2025, with total assets and contingencies rising 21 per cent to $48.5 billion, highlighting the pan-African lender’s resilience amid global challenges.
The Cairo-based multilateral institution, which finances intra- and extra-African trade, said net loans and advances grew 16 per cent to $33.5 billion from $29 billion a year earlier. The expansion came through disbursements supporting manufacturing, infrastructure, food security and climate adaptation across Africa and the Caribbean.
Afreximbank’s non-performing loan ratio held steady at 2.43 per cent, up slightly from 2.33 per cent in 2024, reflecting stable portfolio quality. Liquidity remained strong, with cash and equivalents climbing to $6 billion from $4.6 billion, representing 14 per cent of total assets — well above the bank’s 10 per cent minimum target.
Shareholders’ funds increased 17 per cent to $8.4 billion, bolstered by net income of $1.2 billion and $299.4 million in fresh equity from the bank’s second general capital increase. Gross income rose 6 per cent to $3.5 billion, though operating expenses climbed to $459.2 million from $367.7 million, driven by staff expansion and inflation. The cost-to-income ratio widened to 21 per cent from 18 per cent but stayed below the 30 per cent ceiling.
Net income jumped 19 per cent to $1.2 billion from $973.5 million, with return on average equity steady at 15 per cent and return on average assets improving to 3.04 per cent.
The results came despite geopolitical tensions and rating agency concerns, as Afreximbank raised over $800 million through Samurai and Panda bonds in Japan and China. Senior Executive Vice President Denys Denya said the performance marked a decade of leadership under President Professor Benedict Oramah and put the group ahead of targets in its sixth strategic plan, which ends in December 2026.
“Despite continuing global geopolitical challenges and disruptions caused by some rating actions, the Group delivered excellent financial performance in 2025,” Denya said. “With recently established subsidiaries such as FEDA and AfrexInsure becoming profitable, net income grew by 19 per cent to stand at US$1.2 billion, underpinned by a strong capital base of US$8.4 billion.”
Afreximbank, which has supported the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through its Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and a $10 billion adjustment fund, said the results underscore its role in promoting trade, industrialisation and economic self-reliance. The group holds investment-grade ratings from agencies including Moody’s (Baa2), GCR (A) and Japan Credit Rating Agency (A-).
At year-end, Afreximbank’s total assets stood at $42.3 billion, liabilities at $33.9 billion and capital adequacy ratio at 23 per cent under Basel II standards.
Denya said the bank enters 2026 with momentum to scale its impact across “Global Africa,” including trade integration and value addition. The group comprises the bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA) and insurance arm AfrexInsure.
