Afreximbank Profit Jumps 30% To $534.7m

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) posted a 30 per cent rise in net income to $534.7 million in the first half of 2026, supported by stronger lending and improved asset quality.

The bank’s Afreximbank profit increased from $412.7 million in H1 2025, while net interest income climbed 22 per cent to $1 billion. Net loans and advances also rose 5.7 per cent to $35.4 billion, up from $33.5 billion at the end of 2025.

Total assets and contingencies grew 7.8 per cent to $52.3 billion. At the same time, the non-performing loan ratio improved from 2.43 per cent at year-end 2025 to 2.20 per cent.

The bank’s return on average shareholders’ equity increased to 13 per cent from 11 per cent, while return on average assets rose to 2.54 per cent from 2.22 per cent. Fee and commission income also grew 15 per cent to $71.1 million, driven by stronger earnings from guarantees, letters of credit and advisory services.

Afreximbank Senior Executive Vice President Denys Denya said the results showed the group’s resilience despite difficult global conditions. “Our financial performance and strong position reflect the continued resilience of the Group at a time when our member countries are navigating a particularly complex global environment,” Denya said.

He added that the stronger balance sheet would help the bank respond to market disruptions while continuing to finance trade, industrialisation and investment.

Afreximbank profit growth also came alongside a strong liquidity position, with liquid assets representing 13 per cent of total assets. Shareholders’ funds rose to $8.5 billion.

After the reporting period, the bank strengthened its funding further through a $1.5 billion dual-tranche bond, its largest international debt capital markets transaction. The issue attracted about twice the available demand.

With Afreximbank profit rising, lending expanding and bad loans declining, can the bank increase its impact on Africa’s economic transformation?