The African Export-Import Bank has emerged as the largest arranger of syndicated loans in Africa, capturing more than 23 percent of the continent’s loan market in 2025.

According to the 2025 Bloomberg Africa Borrower Loans League Tables, Afreximbank ranked Number One Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, underscoring its growing influence in mobilising capital for African economies.

The rankings released by Bloomberg show that Afreximbank achieved a 23.65 percent market share as Mandated Lead Arranger, executing 20 transactions during the review period.

As Bookrunner, the bank secured 21.66 percent market share, completing 14 syndicated loan deals across multiple sectors.

Strategic Role in Africa’s Capital Markets

The Bloomberg league tables track the performance of financial institutions involved in capital market transactions including loans, bonds, equity financing and mergers and acquisitions.

In addition to its top rankings as arranger and bookrunner, Afreximbank also placed third as Administrative Agent, holding 13.92 percent market share across 13 transactions.

The bank said the results demonstrate its central role in mobilising debt financing to support economic expansion across Africa.

Energy Sector Dominates Loan Transactions

A breakdown of the transactions revealed that a large share of syndicated deals was concentrated in the oil and gas sector, reflecting the sector’s continuing demand for large-scale financing.

Energy projects across Africa often require multi-billion-dollar funding structures, which typically involve syndicated lending arranged by major financial institutions.

By facilitating these deals, Afreximbank has helped bridge a critical financing gap affecting strategic sectors such as energy, trade infrastructure and industrial development.

Leadership Applauds Team Performance

Commenting on the rankings, Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President for Global Trade Bank at African Export-Import Bank, described the achievement as recognition of the institution’s strong execution capability.

He noted that the results reflect the bank’s ongoing commitment to mobilising capital flows to support trade and investment across Africa.

“I am delighted that the stellar performance of our colleagues has been reflected in Bloomberg’s prestigious league tables,” Elmaayergi said.

“The rankings underscore our commitment to facilitating capital flows that drive economic growth and prosperity across the continent.”

Afreximbank Strengthens Position as Africa’s Trade Finance Engine

The latest rankings extend Afreximbank’s consistent dominance in African capital markets, where it has become a critical financial intermediary supporting cross-border trade and infrastructure financing.

The institution continues to play a key role in financing industrialisation, trade integration and strategic economic projects across African economies.

BRANDECONOMY Insight

Afreximbank’s dominance in the Bloomberg Africa Borrower Loans League Tables highlights a broader transformation underway in Africa’s financial architecture.

For decades, large-scale project financing across Africa was dominated by global banks and multilateral lenders outside the continent.

That dynamic is gradually changing.

1. Rise of African Financial Institutions

Afreximbank’s growing market share demonstrates the increasing capacity of African-owned financial institutions to structure complex financing deals previously dominated by global investment banks.

2. Closing Africa’s Infrastructure Financing Gap

Africa faces an estimated $100 billion annual infrastructure financing gap. Development finance institutions such as Afreximbank are emerging as critical intermediaries capable of mobilising capital at scale.

3. Energy and Trade Remain Capital Magnets

The concentration of syndicated lending in the oil and gas sector highlights the continued centrality of energy to Africa’s economic development.

However, future growth will increasingly require financing in manufacturing, digital infrastructure, logistics and renewable energy.

If the current trajectory continues, Afreximbank could evolve into Africa’s most influential development finance platform, shaping capital flows across the continent’s most strategic sectors.