AFRICAN Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) grew its total assets and contingencies to US$48,5 billion in 2025, highlighting strong financial performance and reinforcing its role in funding trade, industrialisation and infrastructure across Africa and the Caribbean.
The pan-African multilateral lender reported a 21% increase in total assets and contingencies from US$40,1 billion as at December 31, 2024, underlining sustained balance sheet expansion despite global geopolitical tensions and rating pressures.
“Despite continuing global geopolitical challenges and disruptions caused by some rating actions, the group delivered excellent financial performance in 2025, a fitting tribute to a decade of consequential leadership under Benedict Oramah, with total assets and contingencies reaching US$49 billion,” commented Denys Denya, Afreximbank's senior executive vice president.
“Pleasingly, the group is way ahead on most of its targets in delivery on its 6th Strategic plan that ends on December 31, 2026. With recently established subsidiaries such as FEDA and AfrexInsure becoming profitable, net income grew by 19% to stand at US$1,2 billion, underpinned by a strong capital base of US$8,4 billion.”
He added: “The group’s balance sheet is at its strongest level ever, with liquidity levels and capitalisation well above target and good asset quality. These results are a testament to the unwavering execution by the group’s hard working human capital.
“We entered the 2026 financial year with significant momentum, ready to scale the group’s impact, accelerate trade integration and value addition across Global Africa, and deliver greater value to our shareholders.”
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Denya is now the president of Afreximbank.
Net loans and advances closed the year at US$33,5 billion, representing a 16% increase, supported by continued disbursements across Africa and the Caribbean through a range of financing instruments.
The group channelled funding into strategic priority areas including manufacturing, infrastructure, food security and climate adaptation.
The non-performing loan ratio remained stable at 2,43%, reflecting consistent portfolio quality.
Liquidity also remained strong, with cash and cash equivalents at US$6,0 billion. Liquid assets accounted for 14% of total assets, above the bank’s strategic minimum threshold of 10%. Shareholders’ funds rose 17% to US$8,4 billion, supported by net income and fresh equity inflows raised under the General Capital Increase II.
Gross income increased by 6,06% to US$3,5 billion. Operating expenses rose to US$459,2 million, reflecting strategic staff expansion and inflationary pressures, although the group maintained strong cost efficiency with a cost-to-income ratio of 21%, well below the strategic ceiling of 30%.
“Contrary to concerns raised by some rating agencies during the year, the bank accessed international bond markets by successfully raising over US$800 million from Japan and China, courtesy of the Samurai and Panda bonds in 2025,” the bank said in a statement Thursday.
“This demonstrated the group’s fund-raising capabilities and the solid nature of the Bank’s DNA as a pan-African multilateral financial institution committed to ensuring that Africa’s full and sustainable self-reliance remains firm.”