Afreximbank Assets Surge to $48.5 Billion Amid Global Challenges
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has demonstrated remarkable financial resilience, with total assets and contingencies rising by 21 per cent to $48.5 billion for the 2025 operational year. This growth, up from $40.1 billion in 2024, underscores the bank's sustained market confidence and strategic execution despite persistent geopolitical disruptions and other external pressures.
Key Financial Highlights and Performance Metrics
A detailed breakdown of Afreximbank's 2025 financial performance reveals significant gains across multiple sectors. Net loans and advances for the Group reached $33.5 billion, marking a 16 per cent increase from the $29.0 billion recorded in 2024. This expansion was fueled by continued disbursements across Africa and the Caribbean, supporting critical areas such as manufacturing, infrastructure development, food security initiatives, and climate adaptation projects.
The bank's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio remained stable at 2.43 per cent, compared to 2.33 per cent in the previous year, indicating consistent portfolio quality. Additionally, liquidity positions strengthened robustly, with cash and cash equivalents climbing to $6.0 billion from $4.6 billion in 2024. Liquid assets now account for 14 per cent of total assets, exceeding the bank's strategic minimum threshold of 10 per cent.
Income Growth and Strategic Capital Increases
Shareholders' funds experienced a notable 17 per cent growth, reaching $8.4 billion as of December 31, 2025. This increase was driven by a net income of $1.2 billion and new equity inflows totaling $299.4 million, raised under the General Capital Increase II initiative. Gross income rose by 6.06 per cent, from $3.3 billion in 2024 to $3.5 billion in 2025.
Operating expenses saw an uptick to $459.2 million from $367.7 million, reflecting strategic staff expansion and inflationary pressures. Despite this, the Group maintained strong cost efficiency, resulting in a cost-to-income ratio of 21 per cent, up from 18 per cent in 2024.
International Market Access and Leadership Insights
Contrary to concerns from some rating agencies, Afreximbank successfully accessed international bond markets in 2025, raising over $800 million through Samurai and Panda bonds from Japan and China. This achievement highlights the bank's fundraising capabilities and solidifies its role as a pan-African multilateral financial institution committed to fostering Africa's sustainable self-reliance.
Denys Denya, Afreximbank's Senior Executive Vice President, attributed the impressive performance to disciplined execution by the bank's workforce. He noted that the group is ahead of most targets under its Sixth Strategic Plan, which runs through December 31, 2026. Recently established subsidiaries, including FEDA and AfrexInsure, have become profitable, contributing to the overall financial strength.
Denya emphasized that the group's balance sheet is at its strongest level to date, with liquidity and capitalization well above targets, alongside solid asset quality. He expressed confidence that Afreximbank enters the 2026 financial year with strong momentum, poised to scale its impact, deepen trade integration, and deliver enhanced value to shareholders across Global Africa.
