African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) recorded a profit of $1.15 billion (approximately N1.5 trillion) in 2025, representing a solid increase from $973.5 million (about N1.3 trillion) posted in 2024, as the pan-African lender expanded its loan book and strengthened earnings amid global financial headwinds.
The improved performance was underpinned by interest income of roughly N4.2 trillion at an exchange rate of N1,343/$1, slightly above the N4.1 trillion recorded in the previous year.
The rise reflected steady growth in lending activities, with loans and advances climbing to N45.7 trillion from N38.9 trillion in 2024.
Total assets rose by 19.9 per cent year-on-year to N56.7 trillion, largely supported by expansion across the bank’s core trade finance and development operations.
Of the total loan portfolio, Stage 1 loans — which represent performing assets — accounted for N44.3 trillion, up from N37.4 trillion, indicating that the bulk of exposures remain in good standing.
Stage 2 loans, categorised as higher-risk but not yet impaired, declined to N1.0 trillion from N1.4 trillion, suggesting improvement in early-stage credit risk management.
Financial analysts say the bank’s 2025 results demonstrate strong operational resilience despite rating pressures.
Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo, a Lagos-based development finance expert, noted that “Afreximbank’s profitability and asset growth show that its business model remains robust. The dominance of Stage 1 loans in the portfolio is a positive signal of underlying asset quality.”
Similarly, investment analyst Tola Adeyemi said the successful Samurai and Panda bond issuances “indicate sustained international investor appetite for African risk when backed by a multilateral structure. The capital market response appears to diverge from the concerns raised by Fitch.”
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