By Okeoghene Akubuike
China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd. (CCXI) has affirmed the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)’s AAA issuer credit rating with a stable outlook for the second consecutive year.
A statement issued by Vincent Musumba, Afreximbank’s Communications and Events Manager on Saturday, said the affirmation underscored the bank’s financial strength and strategic importance.
According to Musumba, CCXI, in its 2026 Credit Rating Report for Afreximbank, released in Beijing on July 30, say it expected the bank’s credit rating to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months.
Musumba said the rating agency cited Afreximbank’s high strategic positioning, sound risk management system, flexible business development and strong profitability among its key strengths.
He said the agency also highlighted the bank’s prudent liquidity management and very high coverage ratio of current assets to short-term debts.
According to him, the factors strongly supported the overall credit strength of the bank.
Musumba said the affirmation also reinforced Afreximbank’s access to diversified funding sources, particularly in China, while strengthening its profile and market presence in one of the world’s largest capital markets.
“In 2025, the bank issued its inaugural 2.2 billion Chinese yuan Panda bond, becoming the first African multilateral development institution to access the Panda bond market.
“Afreximbank has subsequently become a direct participant in China’s Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), strengthening its role in facilitating China-Africa trade, investment flows and partnerships.”
He said the CCXI affirmation followed S&P Global Ratings’ assignment earlier in 2026 of BBB+ long-term and A-2 short-term issuer credit ratings to Afreximbank, also with a stable outlook.
Musumba said Afreximbank also holds investment-grade ratings from GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (A-) and Moody’s (Baa2).(
The statement quoted Chandi Mwenebungu, the Managing Director, Treasury and Markets, and Treasurer, Afreximbank, as saying “the affirmation is a strong endorsement of the bank’s financial strength and disciplined risk management.
“The affirmation of our AAA rating for a second consecutive year is a strong endorsement of Afreximbank’s financial strength, disciplined risk management and enduring relevance to Africa and Global Africa,” he said.
Mwenebungu said the rating demonstrated the bank’s ability to deliver on its mandate, support member states during periods of uncertainty and mobilise capital from diverse funding pools across local and global markets.
He added that the rating also reflected the bank’s ability to maintain the financial resilience and institutional strength expected of a leading multilateral development bank.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)