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African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has secured a ‘BBB+’ long-term issuer credit rating from S&P Global Ratings. The rating decisions announced today also include an ‘A-2’ short-term issuer credit rating, with a “stable outlook” for the trade finance institution.

Afreximbank said the ratings reinforced its strong financial standing and its critical role in driving trade, industrialisation, and economic development across Africa and the wider Global Africa community. 

According to S&P, the rating reflects Afreximbank’s growing strategic importance, a robust enterprise risk profile and an expanding role as a countercyclical institution that supports African economies through periods of global and regional uncertainty.

The ratings agency highlighted Afreximbank’s strong policy relevance and shareholder support, underscoring its critical role in advancing intra-African trade, supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and developing transformative platforms and solutions that strengthen regional integration and economic resilience. 

S&P noted that Afreximbank’s strong track record of delivering on its mandate underscores its strategic importance. It said Afreximbank’s policy relevance has improved in recent years, as demonstrated by significant lending growth and shareholder support, evidenced by a growing capital base bolstered by capital injections. Between 2015 and 2025, total assets expanded from $7.1 billion to $42.3 billion, supported by shareholders’ equity rising from $1.3 billion to $8.4 billion.

“This rating is a strong endorsement of Afreximbank’s financial strength, stability, and international credibility, and a clear affirmation of its strategic importance to and impact across Global Africa,” said George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank.

“It reflects the Bank’s solid capital base, strong liquidity, the quality of its assets, and, in particular, the unwavering belief in the institution by African states and authorities. The events of recent years, and the last two years in particular, underscore a central lesson: much as the struggle for independence, the pursuit of Africa’s economic change will not be handed to us. It demands a deliberate, bold, courageous and decisive action by the continent itself, working with its diaspora.” 

S&P also highlighted Afreximbank’s role in responding to major external shocks affecting African economies. These include the Bank’s support during the global financial crisis, the commodity price downturn, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and other periods of heightened global uncertainty. In line with this trend, the Bank recently announced a $10 billion Gulf Crisis Response Programme (GCRP) to shield African and Caribbean economies from shocks arising from the Middle East conflict. 

Afreximbank said it remains focused on fulfilling its mandate to transform the structure of African trade by supporting industrialisation, expanding intra-African trade, strengthening regional value chains, and increasing Africa’s participation in global trade.