Banking
Fitch Affirms Afreximbank at ‘BBB-‘ With Stable Outlook
By Adedapo Adesanya
A leading credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has affirmed African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘BBB-‘ with Stable Outlook. Fitch also affirmed the bank’s Short-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘F3’ and senior unsecured debt at ‘BBB-‘.
In a report, the agency noted that the Afreximbank’s ‘BBB-‘ rating was driven by the bank’s intrinsic features, including solvency and liquidity, both assessed at ‘a-‘.
Despite the pressure on asset quality resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, the ongoing and expected capital increases support the resilience of the bank’s solvency.
Afreximbank’s solvency assessment of ‘a-‘ reflects its ‘strong’ capitalisation and ‘moderate’ risk profile, a statement from the agency said.
The ‘strong’ capitalisation is underpinned by the equity to assets and guarantees ratio, at 18.1 per cent in 2019, close to 2018 level (18.5 per cent) as the bank’s expansion has been broadly matched by paid-in capital payments from the ongoing $1 billion capital increase (targeted to be completed by end-2021, 91 per cent of which had been raised by the first half of this year) and internal capital generation.
Fitch’s usable capital to risk-weighted assets (FRA) was 21 per cent in 2019 (from 20% in 2018), consistent with a ‘moderate’ assessment (15-25 per cent).
The agency said it expects the equity-to-assets and FRA ratios to decline in the coming years as the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on asset quality affects internal capital generation and the bank accelerates loan disbursement in the short-term in response to the crisis. Fitch expects the growth in loans to average close to 20 per cent in 2020-2022.
However, it expects that the bank’s capitalisation metrics should remain consistent with a ‘strong’ assessment by the end of 2022. This assumes continuing payments under the $1 billion capital increase and the start of payments under a new $500 million capital increase, approved in June this year.
The Bureau of African Union Heads of States and Governments recently endorsed a significant increase to the bank’s subscribed capital. Fitch understands that the final approval of this capital increase could take place at the bank’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2021, and the first paid-in capital payments would start shortly thereafter. In Fitch’s view, this capital increase would support the resilience of the bank’s solvency, despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis on asset quality.
Fitch assesses Afreximbank’s overall exposure to risks as ‘moderate’, balancing its ‘high’ credit risk profile and ‘moderate’ risk management policies against its ‘low’ concentration risk and ‘very low’ equity and market risks.
The agency expects the average rating of the bank’s loan portfolio before accounting for credit risk mitigants to decline to ‘CCC’ over the medium term from ‘B-‘ as of end-2019.
Afreximbank’s business environment is deemed ‘high risk’, primarily reflecting its strategy, characterised by the rapid growth of its banking operations in high-risk countries.
Fitch assesses Afreximbank’s support rating at ‘bb’, unchanged from the previous review. The average rating of key shareholders fell to ‘BB-‘ following the change in the bank’s shareholder base and the recent downgrade of Nigeria, the largest shareholder.
The bank’s callable capital is partially supported by medium-term credit risk mitigants, which provides a one-notch uplift over the bank’s shareholders’ average credit quality, leading to ‘bb’ support capacity.
Fitch has revised the bank’s shareholders’ propensity to support to ‘strong’ from ‘moderate’ previously. This reflects regular inflows of fresh capital and the recent endorsement for a significant increase to the bank’s subscribed capital. The strong propensity results in a support assessment of ‘bb’.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has disclosed that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025 from 63.5 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.
According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.
NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.
The growth can largely be attributed to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024. The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.
Another major driver was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country. The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.
A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.
However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.
It explained that this is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.
Business Post reports that BVN, launched in 2014, was introduced to establish a single, unique identity for every bank customer in Nigeria and to strengthen the overall financial system. By linking each customer’s biometric data to one verified number, it helps to curb financial fraud, identity theft, and impersonation, while improving customer identification and eliminating the practice of operating multiple bank accounts under different identities.
Beyond security, BVN improves oversight, reduces loan defaults, protects customers, and supports financial inclusion.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The N500 billion minimum capital requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for financial institutions with international banking licence has been met by Fidelity Bank Plc ahead of the March 2026 deadline.
The local lender met and surpassed the new capital base after raising about N259 billion from private placement, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited revealed.
Before the latest injection of funds, Fidelity Bank raised N175.85 billion through a public offer and rights issue in 2024, bringing its eligible capital to N305.5 billion and leaving a margin of N194.5 billion to meet the new regulatory capital requirement of N500 billion for commercial banks with international authorisation.
Giving an update on its recapitalisation exercise, Fidelity Bank said it got the fresh N259 billion from the private placement after approvals from the central bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
It was disclosed that “it successfully opened and closed a private placement of ordinary shares on December 31, 2025.”
“The private placement was conducted pursuant to the authorisation received from the bank’s shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of February 6, 2025, to issue up to 20 billion ordinary shares by way of private placement,” a part of the disclosure said.
A few days ago, First Bank of Nigeria also met the N500 billion capital base after injections of funds from one of its main shareholders, Mr Femi Otedola, who sold his stake in Geregu Power Plc for the purpose.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
More than N270 million have been won in grants by about 608 young Nigerian entrepreneurs in the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge since its inception in 2019.
The business grants were mainly won by graduates undergoing the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
It is part of the lender’s Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative designed to equip fresh graduates with the funding, confidence, and support required to launch and scale viable businesses.
The Corpreneurship Challenge provides a competitive platform where corps members pitch business ideas, assessed on originality, feasibility, market demand, scalability, and job-creation potential. Successful participants receive financial grants to kick-start or expand their ventures, alongside exposure to business guidance and mentorship.
Unity Bank implemented the scheme through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme of the NYSC.
In the most recent edition of the Corpreneurship Challenge, held between November 18 and December 9, 2025, across 10 NYSC orientation camps nationwide, 30 youth corps members emerged as winners during the Batch C, Stream I, 2025 exercise of the programme.
They were selected from orientation camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Enugu, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akwa Ibom, and Plateau (Jos), after pitching innovative business ideas across diverse sectors of the economy.
Unity Bank’s cumulative investment in the Corpreneurship Challenge underscores its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment, MSME development, and job creation in Nigeria.
Speaking on the continued impact of the initiative, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head for Retail and SME, Mrs Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the financial institution’s belief in entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic transformation.
“At Unity Bank, we recognise that entrepreneurship remains one of the most effective tools for tackling youth unemployment and driving inclusive economic growth.
“Through the Corpreneurship Challenge, we are not only providing financial support, but also instilling confidence in young graduates to transform viable ideas into sustainable businesses.
“Reaching over 600 beneficiaries since inception reinforces our belief in the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth,” she said.
Mrs Abimbola further emphasised the programme’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and creating long-term economic value.
“Small and medium-scale enterprises are the backbone of any resilient economy. By supporting corps members at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey, we are helping to build businesses that can create jobs, stimulate local economies, and contribute meaningfully to national development. Our focus is on impact that goes beyond grants, impact that translates into lasting livelihoods,” she added.
Since its launch, the initiative has supported youth-led businesses across value chains, including fashion, agribusiness, food processing, creative services, manufacturing, and retail. Over the years, it has become an integral part of the NYSC experience, attracting thousands of applications annually and earning national recognition for its contribution to youth empowerment.
By sustaining and expanding the Corpreneurship Challenge, Unity Bank continues to reinforce its role as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial and MSME development landscape.
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