The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has delivered a robust financial performance for the 2025 financial year, with total assets and contingencies rising to $48.5 billion, reinforcing its expanding role in financing trade and development across Africa and the Caribbean.
In its audited results released on April 9, the Cairo-based lender reported a 21 per cent increase in total assets from $40.1 billion in 2024, highlighting sustained balance sheet growth despite global economic headwinds and concerns from rating agencies.
Net loans and advances grew by 16 per cent to $33.5 billion, driven by strong disbursements into key sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, food security, and climate adaptation critical areas for Africa’s long-term economic resilience.
Profitability remained solid, with net income rising 19 per cent to $1.2 billion from $973.5 million in the previous year. Gross income also increased by 6.06 per cent to $3.5 billion, supported by steady revenue growth from the bank’s expanding trade finance and advisory services portfolio.
Afreximbank maintained strong asset quality, with its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 2.43 per cent, largely stable compared to 2.33 per cent in 2024, reflecting disciplined risk management amid increased lending across diverse markets.
Liquidity levels strengthened significantly, with cash and cash equivalents rising to $6.0 billion from $4.6 billion. Liquid assets accounted for 14 per cent of total assets, comfortably above the bank’s internal minimum threshold of 10 per cent.
Shareholders’ funds grew by 17 per cent to $8.4 billion, buoyed by strong earnings and fresh equity inflows of $299.4 million under its General Capital Increase II programme. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio stood at 23 per cent, well above regulatory requirements, providing a solid buffer for future expansion.
Operating expenses rose to $459.2 million from $367.7 million, reflecting workforce expansion and inflationary pressures. Despite this, the bank maintained cost discipline, posting a cost-to-income ratio of 21 per cent well below its 30 per cent ceiling.
In a strong show of investor confidence, Afreximbank raised over $800 million from international capital markets through Samurai and Panda bond issuances in Japan and China, reinforcing its funding access and credibility.
Commenting on the results, Senior Executive Vice President Denys Denya said the performance underscores resilience and effective strategy execution in a challenging global environment.
“Despite continuing global geopolitical challenges and disruptions caused by some rating actions, the Group delivered excellent financial performance in 2025,” Denya said.
He added that the results mark a decade of transformative leadership under President Benedict Oramah, with the bank already ahead of most targets under its Sixth Strategic Plan running through 2026.
Denya noted that newer subsidiaries, including the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) and AfrexInsure, have turned profitable, contributing to earnings growth and strengthening the group’s diversified structure.
“The Group’s balance sheet is at its strongest level ever, with liquidity levels and capitalization well above target and good asset quality,” he said.
With stable return metrics return on average equity at 15 per cent and return on average assets improving to 3.04 per cent Afreximbank said it is entering the 2026 financial year with strong momentum.
Backed by a fortified balance sheet, rising profitability, and sustained investor confidence, the bank is well-positioned to deepen trade integration, scale impact, and drive value addition across “Global Africa,” consolidating its role as a key engine of trade-led growth on the continent.
