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 Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the non-interest banks in Nigeria, The Alternative Bank (AltBank), has opened a new branch in Effurun, Delta State.
The new office will serve the Edo-Delta region and provide purposeful banking and real financial empowerment for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, a statement from the firm stated.
The lender disclosed that the Effurun branch is a bold move in its mission to reshape banking in Nigeria.
The launch was graced by key dignitaries, including the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso Abe I; the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Anthony O. Ofoni, represented his vice, Andrew Agagbo; and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Community Development, Mr Ernest Airoboyi; amongst others.
The Divisional Head for South at The Alternative Bank, Mr Chukwuemeka Agada, emphasised the institution’s commitment to Warri and its surrounding communities.
“By establishing a presence here, we are initiating a transformation in the way banking serves the people of Delta. Our purpose-driven approach ensures that customers’ financial goals are not just met but exceeded,” he stated.
“This branch represents our pledge to empower Warri’s dynamic businesses and families, providing them with the tools to grow without compromise,” Mr Agada added.
“We understand the heartbeat of this community, and we are excited to integrate our bank into the fabric of this dynamic region,” he stated further.
On his part, the representative of the Ovie, Mr Samuel Eshenake, challenged the bank to facilitate development and employment within the Effurun community.
The Regional Head for Edo/Delta at The Alternative Bank, Mr Akanni Owolabi, embraced this challenge, pledging that the bank will work sustainably to drive local commerce.
“At The Alternative Bank, we are committed to being an active partner in the development of Effurun. We see this branch as a catalyst for creating opportunities, driving employment, and supporting the growth of local businesses.
“Our mission is to empower this community, ensuring that every step forward is one of progress, prosperity, and shared success.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A partnership aimed to enable seamless, real-time and secure transactions for cardholders across Africa and the rest of the world has been entered into by Payattitude and PAPSSCARD, the card scheme initiative of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS).
The collaboration will allow Payattitude cards issued by banks and other deposit-taking institutions to be co-branded with PAPSSCARD, Discover, Diners and Pulse for acceptance across their networks in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide.
As an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and a key financial infrastructure supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the PAPSSCARD scheme will facilitate instant cross-border payments in local currencies.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to cross-enterprise alliances and enabling inclusive, efficient, and borderless payments across Africa and the world
“With Payattitude, Nigerian cardholders and financial institutions can now enjoy the benefits of a Nigerian card that can be used worldwide,” a director at Payattitude, Dr Agada Apochi, said.
The acting chief executive of PAPSSCARD, Mr John Bosco Sebabi, said the aim is “to connect African payment ecosystems, reduce the cost and inefficiencies of cross-border payments, and strengthen African sovereignty over payments infrastructure.
“Collaborating with Payattitude, a key innovator in Nigeria’s payment space, represents a significant step towards a more unified African payment landscape.”
The chief executive of PAPSS, Mr Mike Ogbalu, said, “By bringing together PAPSSCARD’s robust cross-border payment capabilities with Payattitude’s leadership in the Nigerian digital payments, we are taking tangible steps toward building a single African market where individuals and businesses can transact easily and securely, both within and beyond Africa.”
Payattitude is the first-in-kind Nigerian Payment Scheme to pioneer multibank App and USSD Code *569#.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revised its cash withdrawal rules, discontinuing the special authorisation previously permitting individuals to withdraw N5 million and corporates N10 million once monthly, effective January 2026.
The new set of cash-related policies are designed to reduce the cost of cash management, strengthen security, and curb money laundering risks associated with the economy’s heavy reliance on physical currency.
This was contained in a circular released on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and signed by the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department of the central bank, Ms Rita I. Sike.
The apex bank explained that previous cash policies had been introduced over the years in response to evolving circumstances. However, with time, the need has arisen to streamline these provisions to reflect present-day realities.
“These policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels. With the effluxion of time, the need has arisen to streamline the provisions of these policies to reflect present-day realities,” the CBN stated.
So, effective January 1, 2026, individuals will be allowed to withdraw up to N500,000 weekly across all channels, while corporate entities will be limited to N5 million.
Withdrawals above these thresholds will attract excess withdrawal fees of 3 per cent for individuals and 5 per cent for corporates, with the charges shared between the CBN and the financial institutions.
Daily withdrawals from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) will be capped at N100,000 per customer, subject to a maximum of N500,000 weekly. These transactions will count toward the cumulative weekly withdrawal limit.
The special authorisation previously permitting individuals to withdraw N5 million and corporates N10 million once monthly has been discontinued.
The CBN also confirmed that all currency denominations may now be loaded in ATMs, while the over-the-counter encashment limit for third-party cheques remains at N100,000. Such withdrawals will also form part of the weekly withdrawal limit.
Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) are required to submit monthly reports on cash withdrawals above the specified limits, as well as on cash deposits, to the relevant supervisory departments.
They must also create separate accounts to warehouse processing charges collected on excess withdrawals.
Revenue-generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments, along with accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks with commercial and non-interest banks, are exempted from the new withdrawal limits and excess withdrawal fees.
However, exemptions previously granted to embassies, diplomatic missions, and aid-donor agencies have been withdrawn.
The apex bank clarified that the circular is without prejudice to the provisions of certain earlier directives but supersedes others, as detailed in its appendices.
This is the latest move by the apex bank to strengthen the Nigerian financial ecosystem. In October, the CBN issued a directive requiring all financial institutions to submit detailed monthly reports on the activities of their Point-of-Sale (POS) agents.
In the circular signed by the Director of the CBN’s Payments System Policy Department, Mr Musa Jimoh, it was stated that the reports must include comprehensive data on the nature, value, and volume of transactions conducted by agents.
The circular also stated that POS agents are restricted to a maximum of N1.2 million per day, while individual customers are limited to N100,000 in daily transactions.
CBN said these limits are intended to curb misuse, enhance financial integrity, and protect consumers within the agent banking framework.
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