AFRICAN Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) recorded a 25% jump in net income for the first quarter of 2026, underscoring the lender’s resilience and growing influence in financing trade and infrastructure across Africa and the Caribbean.
The pan-African lender said profit for the period rose to US$268,9 million, from US$215,4 million recorded in the same period last year, driven by strong lending activity, higher interest income and disciplined balance sheet management.
The group’s total credit exposure increased by 2% to US$42 billion from US$41 billion as of December 31, 2025, as it expanded lending to support trade and economic development projects.
Afreximbank senior executive vice president Denys Denya said the results reflected the bank’s strategic role as a development finance institution financing trade and trade-enabling infrastructure across member states.
“Against a backdrop of continued global uncertainty, heightened geopolitical risks and tight financial conditions, the group delivered a resilient first-quarter performance, underpinned by disciplined balance sheet management, sound asset quality and strong capital and liquidity buffers,” he said in a statement Friday.
“The growth in net interest income and profitability demonstrates the strength of our operating model and the continued relevance of our mandate.”
Denya said the rapid rollout of the US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme highlighted Afreximbank’s counter-cyclical role in supporting member countries during periods of disruption.
“We remain focused on stabilising trade flows, easing liquidity pressures and advancing the industrial and economic transformation of Africa and the Caribbean,” he said.
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Average loans and advances climbed 8% year-on-year to US$32 billion, helping drive a 14% increase in total interest income to US$813,6 million.
Net interest income rose 24% to US$510 million despite declining benchmark interest rates, while the group maintained a strong liquidity position with cash and cash equivalents of US$5,6 billion, representing 14% of total assets.
Asset quality also remained firm, with the non-performing loan ratio standing at 2,40%, broadly unchanged from 2,43% recorded at the end of the 2025 financial year and remaining below the industry average.
Shareholders’ funds increased to US$8,6 billion from US$8,4 billion at the end of FY2025, supported by internally generated capital of US$268,9 million and fresh equity investments received during the quarter.
The group’s cost-to-income ratio remained at 19%, comfortably below its strategic ceiling of 30%, reinforcing the bank’s strong operational efficiency.
