African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) reported net income of US$534.7 million for the six months ended 30 June 2026, a 30% increase from US$412.7 million in the first half of 2025, as lending expanded and the Group maintained strong asset quality.
According to Afreximbank’s half-year 2026 results, total assets and contingencies increased 7.8% to US$52.3 billion from US$48.5 billion at the end of 2025. Total assets alone stood at US$43.4 billion, while net loans and advances increased 5.7% to US$35.4 billion from US$33.5 billion.
Lending grows as asset quality improves
The Group’s non-performing loan ratio improved to 2.20% from 2.43% at year-end 2025. Liquid assets represented 13% of total assets, within Afreximbank’s strategic target range of 10% to 15%.
Net interest income rose 22% to US$1.0 billion from US$0.84 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. Fee and commission income increased 15% to US$71.1 million from US$61.9 million, supported by higher fees from guarantees, letters of credit and advisory services.
Profitability also strengthened. Return on average shareholders’ equity increased to 13% from 11%, while return on average assets rose to 2.54% from 2.22%. The cost-to-income ratio was 20%, compared with 19% in H1 2025, despite higher personnel costs and inflationary pressures.
Balance sheet supports trade and industrialisation mandate
Afreximbank said shareholders’ funds reached US$8.5 billion at the end of June, supported by US$534.7 million in internally generated profits and US$13.9 million in new equity raised during the period. The Bank’s release gives US$8.4 billion as the year-end 2025 comparison in its narrative, while its summary financial-position table reports US$8.3 billion.
The expanding balance sheet is significant because Afreximbank finances intra- and extra-African trade, industrialisation, export development and investment across Africa and the Caribbean. Higher lending capacity gives the institution additional room to support trade transactions and longer-term economic transformation at a time when many member countries continue to face constrained access to international capital.
“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.”
Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank
US$1.5 billion bond strengthens funding profile
After the reporting period, Afreximbank completed a US$1.5 billion dual-tranche international bond issuance, described by the Bank as the largest international debt capital markets issuance in its history. The transaction comprised a US$750 million 5.5-year tranche and a US$750 million 10-year tranche and was approximately two times oversubscribed.
The additional funding reinforces the Bank’s capacity to pursue its trade and development mandate, including support for industrialisation and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The full financial performance announcement is available directly from Afreximbank.
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