The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has received a major vote of confidence in its financial strength after China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd (CCXI) affirmed its AAA issuer credit rating with a Stable outlook for the second consecutive year.
The affirmation, contained in CCXI’s 2026 Credit Rating Report released in Beijing on July 30, highlights the bank’s strategic importance, sound risk management and strong financial performance.
CCXI expects Afreximbank’s credit profile to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months.
The rating agency cited Afreximbank’s strong strategic positioning, prudent liquidity management, profitability, flexible business development and high coverage of current assets against short-term debt as key factors supporting its credit strength.
Chandi Mwenebungu, Afreximbank’s Managing Director for Treasury and Markets and Treasurer, said the continued AAA rating demonstrates the bank’s ability to maintain financial resilience while supporting African economies during periods of uncertainty.
He said the rating also strengthens Afreximbank’s capacity to mobilise capital from both local and international markets and finance trade and investment across the continent.
The CCXI affirmation is particularly significant for the bank’s growing presence in China. In 2025, Afreximbank issued a RMB2.2 billion Panda bond, becoming the first African multilateral development institution to enter China’s Panda bond market.
It later became a direct participant in China’s Cross-border Interbank Payment System.
The latest rating follows S&P Global Ratings’ assignment earlier this year of BBB+ long-term and A-2 short-term issuer ratings to Afreximbank, both with a Stable outlook.
The bank also holds investment-grade ratings from GCR, Japan Credit Rating Agency and Moody’s.
Afreximbank ended 2025 with total assets and contingencies exceeding US$48.5 billion and shareholder funds of US$8.4 billion, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s key institutions for financing trade, industrialisation and economic integration.