The African Export-Import Bank has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025, with total assets and contingencies rising sharply to $48.5 billion, reinforcing its position as one of the most influential financial institutions driving trade and development across Africa and the Caribbean.
According to the bank’s latest results, total assets and contingencies grew by 21 percent from $40.1 billion recorded in 2024, highlighting sustained expansion despite a challenging global economic environment marked by geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and tightening financial conditions.
The growth was largely driven by increased lending activity and continued deployment of capital into strategic sectors. Net loans and advances rose by 16 percent to $33.5 billion, reflecting the bank’s ongoing commitment to financing critical areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing, food security, and climate adaptation across member states.
Afreximbank also recorded a significant improvement in profitability, with net income increasing by 19 percent to approximately $1.2 billion. This performance was supported by a strong capital base, which expanded to $8.4 billion, as well as continued investor confidence and successful capital mobilisation efforts.
Despite global economic headwinds, the bank maintained strong asset quality. Its non performing loan ratio stood at 2.43 percent, remaining well below internal risk thresholds and demonstrating resilience in its credit portfolio. Analysts view this as a key indicator of prudent risk management, especially at a time when many financial institutions globally are grappling with rising default risks.
Liquidity levels also remained robust, with cash and cash equivalents reaching $6.0 billion, representing 14 percent of total assets and exceeding the bank’s strategic minimum requirement. This positions the institution to respond effectively to emerging financing needs across its markets while maintaining operational stability.
Gross income for the year rose to approximately $3.5 billion, reflecting steady revenue growth supported by diversified operations and expanding financial services across Africa and the Caribbean. While operating expenses increased due to inflation and organisational expansion, the bank maintained a cost to income ratio of 21 percent, well within its efficiency targets.
Senior leadership at the bank attributed the performance to strong strategic execution and a decade of sustained institutional growth. The results also reflect progress under the bank’s current strategic plan, which focuses on deepening intra African trade, supporting industrialisation, and expanding financial integration between Africa and the Caribbean.
The bank has increasingly positioned itself as a critical financial backstop for African economies, particularly during periods of global disruption. Over recent years, it has played a key role in providing trade finance, facilitating cross border transactions, and supporting countries facing external shocks, including supply chain disruptions and currency volatility.
Afreximbank’s expanding footprint in the Caribbean further underscores its ambition to build stronger economic ties between Africa and its diaspora regions. Through financing initiatives, trade facilitation programmes, and investment platforms, the bank is working to create new corridors for economic cooperation and shared growth.
The strong 2025 performance comes at a time when African economies are seeking alternative sources of financing amid constrained global capital flows. Institutions like Afreximbank are increasingly stepping in to bridge funding gaps, support private sector development, and drive regional integration.
Looking ahead, the bank is expected to continue scaling its operations as it approaches the end of its current strategic cycle in 2026. With a strengthened balance sheet, solid profitability, and growing market confidence, Afreximbank is positioning itself to play an even more central role in shaping the continent’s economic future.
