INVESTOR confidence in the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) remains strong, with the lender clinching an oversubscribed US$2 billion syndicated term loan backed by 31 international financiers, underscoring sustained global support for its credit profile, a senior official has said.
Speaking at an Afreximbank media briefing on Monday, the bank’s senior executive vice president, Denys Denya, said the deal reflected continued access to international capital markets.
“Investor confidence in Afreximbank remains quite strong. The bank continues to enjoy deep access to international capital markets, a position cemented earlier this year when we successfully concluded a US$2 billion equivalent dual tranche syndicated term loan facility,” Denya said.
“This tranche was oversubscribed and attracted 31 lenders across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, reflecting strong global confidence in the bank's credit profile and mandate.”
He said the bank’s 2025 financial performance further reinforced that confidence, with total assets rising to over US$48,5 billion — a 21% increase on the previous year.
“Let me begin by highlighting our financial performance for the year 2025, which we published in March this year. Our total assets exceeded US$48,5 billion. This is significant in the context of African institutions,” he said.
“It gives us the scale that enables us to intervene in a meaningful way to ensure that the objectives of Afreximbank are achieved. This was a 21% growth on 2024 numbers, which is significant. Our net income also grew by 19% to US$1,2 billion, meaning that we are generating internal capacity to do more.”
Shareholders’ funds climbed to US$8,4 billion, while capital adequacy stood at 23%, comfortably above the bank’s 20% minimum threshold.
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“Our total shareholders funds, as a result, increased to US$8,4 billion, which we can then deploy on the continent to enhance trade and infrastructure development,” Denya said.
“Equally important, the quality of our assets is very good. The bank maintained strong capital adequacy at 23%, well above our minimum target of 20%.”
Liquidity and asset quality also remained firm, with non-performing loans stable at 2,43%.
“A very solid liquidity position with liquid assets constituting 14% of total assets and health asset quality. Our non-performing loans ratio remained stable at 2,43%, demonstrating the quality of our portfolio and prudent risk management,” he said.
“These results matter because they confirm that Afreximbank is the financial strength, the credibility required to support large-scale trade, infrastructure, industrial, and crisis response intervention across Africa and the Caribbean.”
Denya said the bank had stepped up support to member states facing global shocks, including the ongoing Middle East conflict, through a US$10 billion crisis response programme.
“The aim of this programme is to ensure sustained essential imports such as fuel, food, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals, supporting exporters also who seek to benefit from higher commodity prices, especially oil and gas, and provide targeted relief to affected sectors such as aviation and tourism,” he said.
The initiative builds on earlier interventions during the commodity downturn, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, which helped sustain trade flows while preserving portfolio quality.
Beyond crisis response, Denya said the bank remained focused on long-term industrialisation and reducing Africa’s reliance on imports.
“Our support for the likes of Dangote and other industrialists who are making a difference on the continent is testament to this approach,” he said.
“Afreximbank will continue to champion projects that reduce Africa's reliance on imported refined products… strengthen regional value chains, enhance economic sovereignty, and enable the continent to retain greater value for its natural resources.”
He added that the bank is preparing a new strategic plan for 2027–2031, with value addition and beneficiation at the core of its agenda.
