Moody’s Maintains Afreximbank’s Credit Rating at Baa1

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa’s foremost multilateral trade finance institution has announced that the global credit ratings agency, Moody’s has maintained its rating at Baa1 in its annual credit analysis, with the outlook categorised as stable.

The agency determines its rating for supranationals based on three criteria: capital adequacy, liquidity, and funding and strength of member support.

Moody’s noted that Afreximbank’s credit profile was “supported by its critical role under the African Union umbrella that garners it recurrent capital infusions…alongside the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.”

Moreover, the ongoing provision of new capital by the Bank’s member states was cited, because it, “gives Afreximbank increased flexibility over its balance sheet to navigate the challenging operating environment amid the economic and financial repercussions of higher inflation and tighter monetary conditions globally”.

Moody’s cited Afreximbank’s credit strengths as being a specialised African trade finance institution with a niche, supporting asset performance as well as having sound profitability and market access at favorable rates.

Commenting on the rating, President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, said: “Afreximbank is delighted to maintain its positive credit rating from Moody’s, which reflects the Bank’s disciplined approach to its balance sheet and financial health, as well as its capacity to deliver its mandate even in periods of macroeconomic uncertainty and instability.

“Afreximbank’s creative and cautious approach to its own financing as well as its solid capital base has enabled it to intervene to help member states’ economies as a combination of global conflicts, the lingering effects of the pandemic and increasing global supply chain disruptions threaten the pace and scale of development here in Africa.”

In June 2023, Fitch Ratings also affirmed Afreximbank’s long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at BBB, with a stable outlook and its short-term Issuer Default Rating at F2 and the long-term ratings on the bank’s Global Medium Term Note Programme and Debt Issuances at BBB.

In addition, Fitch had acknowledged Afreximbank’s strong capital and liquidity position noting that the bank had a strong liquidity profile, has strengthened its institutional role and raised its profile as the main multilateral development bank focused on supporting the public and private sectors in Africa.

Speaking on both ratings, Afreximbank Group Treasurer & Director of Treasury and Markets, Mr. Chandi Mwenebungu said: “The Moody’s and Fitch ratings are a strong testament to Afreximbank’s development mandate on the continent. We are committed to continuing to build a solid platform to deepen our partnership with clients and member states, to deliver sustainable growth and development.

“This rating proves our risk discipline and continues to show that our capital and liquidity is strong. As we embrace the future, we remain poised to chart a path of progress and prosperity for the continent.”