Africa Finance Corporation Strengthens Financial Profile with Renewed AAA Ratings from CCXI and S&P Global
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a prominent infrastructure solutions provider on the continent, has recently secured renewed AAA credit ratings from both China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co. Ltd (CCXI) and S&P Ratings (China) Co., Ltd. This development underscores AFC’s robust financial standing, effective risk management strategies, and increasing significance in global capital markets.
Renewed Ratings Affirm Financial Resilience
CCXI has reaffirmed AFC’s AAA domestic issuer credit rating with a stable outlook, while S&P Global (China) Ratings has similarly confirmed an AAAspc issuer credit rating, also with a stable outlook. These ratings reflect ongoing confidence in AFC’s resilient balance sheet, disciplined capital management, and strong liquidity position. They also highlight the Corporation’s commitment to fostering infrastructure-led industrialization across Africa.
The renewed ratings are particularly crucial as they enhance AFC’s standing within China’s domestic debt capital markets. This strategic positioning supports AFC’s efforts to diversify funding sources, broaden investor access, and mobilize long-term capital for transformative infrastructure projects across the continent.
Comprehensive Risk Management Framework
AFC’s established risk management processes and governance mechanisms are designed to proactively address asset deterioration and challenges arising from market fluctuations. Analysts from CCXI noted that AFC’s comprehensive risk management framework is bolstered by a professional management team, including the Board Risk and Investment Committee. This team monitors key risk areas such as credit risk, market risk, operational risk, and environmental and social risk.
AFC maintains a prudent risk appetite, enforcing strict exposure limits to ensure portfolio diversification. Notably, industry exposure is capped at 35% of total investable funds, a strategy that reflects a commitment to sustainable investment practices.
Strong Liquidity and Governance Standards
S&P Global (China) Ratings emphasized AFC’s strong liquidity profile and robust governance standards. The agency highlighted that AFC’s AAAspc issuer credit rating is primarily based on its stand-alone credit profile, characterized by high policy importance and disciplined capital management. AFC employs a conservative approach to liquidity management, utilizing the Minimum Liquidity Level (MLL) and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) as critical indicators to mitigate liquidity risks.
As of the end of 2025, the LCR was reported at 203% under business-as-usual assumptions and 207% under stressed scenarios. These figures indicate a solid liquidity buffer that positions AFC favorably even in challenging market conditions.
Strategic Partnerships and Financial Collaborations
Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC, remarked that the reaffirmations reflect AFC’s successful expansion into China’s financial markets. This recognition enhances AFC’s role as a trusted infrastructure financier for Africa, facilitating stronger ties with Asian markets to drive investment in economic development and job creation.
AFC has been actively deepening its strategic partnerships with leading Chinese financial institutions. In 2025, AFC and the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) signed a landmark partnership agreement aimed at promoting Chinese-African trade through infrastructure projects in priority sectors. This collaboration builds on a foundation of trust established through previous engagements, including a five-year loan facility extended by CEXIM to enhance trade finance.
In 2024, AFC finalized a US$1.16 billion syndicated loan facility co-led by Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), alongside other global banks. This momentum continued into 2025, culminating in a US$1.5 billion syndicated facility from a consortium of Asian and Middle Eastern banks, further broadening AFC’s base of Chinese partners.
Largest Syndicated Loan Facility to Date
AFC’s trajectory in securing financial partnerships reached a significant milestone with its largest syndicated loan facility to date—a US$2 billion transaction involving Bank of China and ICBC as Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers. This facility, supported by several other financial institutions, serves as a powerful endorsement of AFC’s credit standing and the strength of its relationships within the Chinese banking sector.
These strategic collaborations exemplify AFC’s commitment to diversifying its funding sources and forging enduring global partnerships to support Africa’s economic development.
For further insights, the full ratings report by CCXI can be accessed here, and the report by S&P Global (China) Ratings can be found here.
Source: www.zawya.com
Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org
About AFC:
Established in 2007, AFC has emerged as a catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. The Corporation combines industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, and risk capital to address the continent’s infrastructure development needs. Over the past eighteen years, AFC has invested more than US$19 billion in 36 African countries, solidifying its position as a partner of choice for high-quality infrastructure assets.
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