The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and its subsidiaries reported a strong financial performance for the six months ended 30 June 2026, with total assets and contingencies increasing by 7.8% to $52.3 billion, from $48.5 billion at 31 December 2025.
The Bank said the growth, which was primarily driven by expansion in the its lending activities, underscored the resilience of its business model and continued support towards trade and economic development activities across Africa and the Caribbean.
With net loans and advances increasing by 5.7% to $35.4 billion, compared with $33.5 billion at the end of 2025, the Bank maintained sound asset quality, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 2.20% at the end of the first half of 2026, compared to 2.43% at year-end 2025, reflecting prudent risk management.
Also, the Group said it maintained a sound liquidity position, with liquid assets accounting for 13% of total assets, comfortably within its strategic target range of 10% to 15%.
Besides, shareholders’ funds increased to $8.5 billion from $8.4 billion at the end of 2025, supported by $534.7 million in internally generated profits, and $13.9 million in new equity raised during the period.
The Group said it recorded a significant increase in earnings, with net interest income rising by 22% to $1.0 billion, compared with $0.84 billion during the corresponding period in 2025.
In addition, the Bank reported that fee and commission income increased by 15% to $71.1 million, up from $61.9 million in H1’2025, supported by higher fees earned from guarantees, letters of credit and advisory services.
As a result, the Bank said net income reached $534.7 million, representing a 30% increase from $412.7 million recorded in the first half of 2025.
“Profitability indicators showed further improvement, with return on average shareholders’ equity rising to 13%, compared with 11% in H1’2025, while return on average assets increased to 2.54% from 2.22% over the same period,” it said, adding that operational efficiency remained strong, with the cost-to-income ratio at a healthy level of 20% compared to 19% for H1’2025, despite higher personnel expenses and persistent inflationary pressures.
Further strengthening its funding profile, Afreximbank said it successfully completed a $1.5 billion dual-tranche bond issuance after the reporting period, pointing out that the transaction, the largest international debt capital markets issuance in the Bank’s history, comprised a $750 million 5.5-year tranche and a $750 million 10-year tranche.
The offering, it explained, was approximately two times oversubscribed, highlighting strong investor confidence and reinforcing the Bank’s capacity to support its strategic growth objectives.
Highlights of the results for the Bank showed gross income at $1.8billion; net income $534.7million; return on average equity at 13%, and return on average assets at 2.54%, while cost to income ratio stood at about 20%.
Other financial position metrics for the half year showed total assets at $43.4billion, from $42.3billion in 2025; total liabilities $34.8billion, from $33.9billion in 2025; shareholders’ funds $8.5billion, from $8.3billion in 2025; non-performing loans ratio 2.20%, from 2.43% last year, and liquidity position at 13%, against 15% the previous year, while capital adequacy ratio (Basel II) stood at 22% against 23% in 2025.
Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, Mr. Denys Denya, said the Bank’s financial performance and strong position reflected the continued resilience of the Group at a time when member countries are navigating a particularly complex global environment.
“Our healthy balance sheet gives us the capacity to respond when markets are disrupted, while continuing to finance the trade, industrialisation and investment that underpin longer-term economic resilience,” he said.
“The expansion of our lending, the strength of our asset quality and our continued access to diversified funding enable us to remain responsive to immediate challenges while supporting the structural transformation of African and Caribbean economies,” he added.
