The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reported a 25 per cent increase in net income for the first quarter of 2026, citing resilient operations, disciplined balance sheet management and strong deal execution despite global economic uncertainty.
In a press release issued on Friday announcing its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Bank said net income rose to US$268.9 million, up from US$215.4 million recorded in the same period in 2025.
The Group also recorded a 14 per cent year-on-year increase in total interest income to US$813.6 million, while net interest income grew by 24 per cent to US$510 million, compared with US$411.2 million in the first quarter of 2025.
According to the Bank, the performance reflected Afreximbank’s continued role as a Development Finance Institution supporting trade, infrastructure and economic resilience across Africa and the Caribbean.
Total credit exposure increased by 2 per cent to US$42 billion, up from US$41 billion as of December 31, 2025, while average loans and advances for Q1 2026 stood at US$32 billion, representing an 8 per cent increase year-on-year.
The Bank said its liquidity position remained strong, with cash and cash equivalents of US$5.6 billion, representing 14 per cent of total assets, consistent with its 2025 financial year performance and above the institution’s strategic minimum.
Asset quality also remained stable, with the Group’s non-performing loan ratio at 2.40 per cent, broadly in line with 2.43 per cent recorded at the end of 2025 and below industry average.
Shareholders’ funds rose to US$8.6 billion at March 31, 2026, from US$8.4 billion at the end of 2025, supported by internally generated capital and new equity investments received during the quarter.
The Bank maintained a strong capital position, reporting a capital adequacy ratio of 23 per cent, in line with its long-term capital management targets.
During the quarter, Afreximbank also launched a US$10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme aimed at helping member countries manage the economic effects of the Gulf crisis. The facility is expected to support liquidity, stabilise trade and payments, and address supply-side disruptions affecting sectors such as energy, tourism, aviation, fertilisers and food imports.
The Bank further noted that regional integration efforts gained momentum following South Africa’s ratification of Afreximbank’s Establishment Agreement in February 2026, giving the institution full continental coverage.
Commenting on the results, Afreximbank Senior Executive Vice President, Mr. Denys Denya, said the Group delivered a “resilient first-quarter performance” despite continued global uncertainty, geopolitical risks and tight financial conditions.
He added that the growth in profitability reflected “the strength of our operating model and the continued relevance of our mandate,” while the launch of the Gulf Crisis Response Programme underscored the Bank’s role in supporting member countries during periods of economic disruption.
