Afreximbank records $215m net income Q1 2025

Orisemeke Benjamin

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has released the consolidated financial statements of the Bank and its subsidiaries for the three months ended 31 March 2025.

In the financial statement made available to journalists, the Group delivered satisfactory financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, posting a strong Net Income of $215 million, representing a 21% increase year-on-year from $178 million in the prior period.

Net interest income grew by 4.53% to $411.2 million compared to prior year, driven by growth in interest earning assets, complemented by effective management of borrowing costs, helping the Bank to cushion the marginal decline in total interest income due to softening benchmark rates.

The statement revealed that Fee income from Guarantees and Letters of Credit saw robust growth of 47% and 36% respectively, partially offsetting lower advisory fees to contribute to total unfunded income of $26.9 million for Q1-2025. While this represented a 7.41% decrease from $29.0 million in Q1 2024, the strong performance in Off-balance sheet assets is in line with the Bank’s strategy to grow unfunded business.

“The Group’s total assets and contingent liabilities increased by 6.4%, reaching $42.7 billion as of 31 March 2025, up from $40.1 billion at FY’2024. On-balance sheet assets grew by 4.85% to $37.0 billion, driven primarily by a 58% surge in cash balances to $7.4 billion, while Off-balance sheet assets i.e. letters of credit and guarantee volumes increased by a 19% to reach $5.7 billion at the end of Q1-2025.

“Net loans and advances closed Q1-2025 at US$27.8 billion, down from the FY2024 closing position reflecting early repayments from certain customers on account of improved foreign currency balances position of some sovereign borrowers. Importantly, the Loan Asset Quality remained strong, with the Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio at 2.44%, a modest increase from 2.33% at FY’2024 – well below the Bank’s strategic NPL ceiling of 4%.

“Driven by inflationary pressures and growing personnel costs, operating expenses rose by 23% to reach $75.4 million by 31 March 2025. Despite this, Afreximbank Group maintained a healthy Cost-to-Income Ratio of 16%, below its strategic range of 17-30%,” the statement showed.

The Bank further revealedthat its liquidity profile strengthened considerably, with liquid assets now comprising 20% of total assets, up from 13% at the close of FY’2024. This higher liquidity position was as a result of successful fund-raising, coupled with loan repayments received during the quarter.

This is just as shareholders’ funds increased by 3.4%, reaching $7.5 billion, driven by strong internally generated capital of $215.4 million in addition to new equity investments under the second General Capital Increase (GCI II) programme.

According to the development finance institution, the performance provides a springboard for the Bank to continue playing its pivotal role of advancing the aspirations of Africa and the Caribbean for economic transformation and sustainable development in the months and years ahead.

Commenting on the Q1 financial statement, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, Mr. Denys Denya, said, “Our QI 2025 results, which were in line with expectations, reflected a strong and resilient financial performance, notwithstanding continued macroeconomic challenges. With solid profitability growth, a strengthened liquidity position, and a well-capitalised balance sheet, the Group is firmly positioned to continue playing a pivotal role in advancing the aspirations of Africa and the Caribbean for economic transformation and sustainable development.”