Afreximbank posts remarkable half-year growth in a pandemic 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has released its audited financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2021, showing a solid performance in line with expectations.

The results reflected a net income of US$168.9million for the period, a 12% increase over the US$150.75million recorded in 2020, and were achieved largely due to the growth in interest income and a 13% decrease in interest expense arising from a cost-effective funding mix.

Afreximbank’s total assets grew by 5.5% to US$20.37billion as at 30 June 2021 from US$19.31billion as at 31 December 2020. This was driven predominantly by increases in loans and advances and cash and cash equivalents.

The Bank’s shareholders’ funds increased by 5.1% to US$3.54billion from the position at 31 December 2020 of US$3.37billion, reflecting support from existing shareholders and strong internal capital generation capacity.

Mr. Denys Denya, Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President in charge of Finance, Administration and Banking Services, has stated that the first six months of the year witnessed some positive momentum, as the African economy has rebounded from the challenges faced in the previous year.

In spite of the continued COVID-19 challenges, Afreximbank posted year-on-year growth of 12% in profitability and closed the period in a strong financial position.

According to him, Afreximbank continues to play an important role in leading the fight against COVID-19 in Africa, having disbursed over US$6.5billion through the Pandemic Trade Impact Mitigation Facility (PATIMFA); the Bank is also supporting the procurement and deployment of 400 million vaccine doses to the African Union (AU) member-states through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), of which Afreximbank is one of the principal partners.

The acquisition of vaccines by AVAT was made possible through a US$2billion Guarantee facility provided by the Bank. The Bank also acted as the Financial and Transaction Adviser, Guarantor, Instalment Payment Facility Provider and Payment Agent on this facility.

He disclosed that to enable and strengthen Afreximbank’s growth ambitions, shareholders’ approval was received to enable the Bank to launch a US$2.6billion paid-in equity capital raise, expected to be fully implemented by 31 December 2023.

In addition, Afreximbank successfully closed a US$1.3billion dual maturity bond issuance in the second quarter, which is the Bank’s longest maturity and largest-ever transaction in the debt capital markets.

“We are confident that Afreximbank’s solid financial position and growth trajectory, provide a strong foundation for us to support the continent in sustaining its economic rebound in the second half of 2021,” he said.

Highlights of the results are shown below: