Afreximbank Secures ISO 31000 Risk Standard in Boost to Global Credibility

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has been registered under the ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management Standard, marking a significant step in strengthening its institutional governance as it scales up support for intra-African trade and cross-border finance.

The registration, issued in November 2025 by global certification body Certification Partner Global (CPG), followed independent external assessments of the Bank’s enterprise risk management framework and recorded zero non-conformities, placing Afreximbank among a small group of development finance institutions that meet the benchmark.

ISO 31000:2018, developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation, is regarded as the global reference point for enterprise risk management, covering governance, implementation, evaluation and the integration of risk considerations into strategic decision-making. The accreditation validates that Afreximbank’s framework aligns with international best practices while accounting for the complexity of operating across 54 African member states and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The milestone comes as Afreximbank manages a USD45 billion balance sheet, supporting trade finance, industrialisation and export development across diverse and often high-risk markets.

“Attaining ISO 31000:2018 registration is not just about global recognition; it represents years of deliberate investment in building institutional capacity and embedding a proactive risk culture throughout our organization,” said Dr Elias Kagumya, Group Managing Director for Risk Management and Chief Risk Officer. He said the achievement provides assurance to member states, commercial banks, investors and businesses that the institution operates with risk maturity comparable to leading global financial institutions.

According to the Bank, the framework enables structured identification, monitoring and mitigation of risks across its operations—from business strategy and financial instruments to environmental and mandate-related exposures—ensuring that key programmes and platforms remain stable and well controlled.

The accreditation aligns with Afreximbank’s Strategic Plan VI, which prioritises the development of a mature, institution-wide risk management architecture. In 2025, the Bank undertook a comprehensive benchmarking exercise of its Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework against ISO 31000 standards, working with CPG as the independent assessor.

CPG said Afreximbank demonstrated “exceptional capability” in managing risks across its strategic programmes, platforms and core instruments through a structured Risk Universe covering nine critical risk categories, including strategy, business and mandate risk. The framework’s alignment with international standards positions the Bank as a leader in institutional risk governance within global financial services, the certification body said.

Beyond governance signalling, the Bank said the ISO framework delivers operational benefits, including stronger entity-wide risk culture, improved integration of risk considerations into strategy and financial planning, and efficiency gains through formalised monitoring and reporting tools.

The accreditation comes at a pivotal moment for African trade integration, as Afreximbank continues to play a central role in operationalising the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Robust risk oversight underpins flagship initiatives such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) now linking 19 countries and more than 160 commercial banks and the Africa Trade Gateway, designed to streamline cross-border commerce.

With the ISO 31000:2018 registration, Afreximbank is reinforcing its position not only as Africa’s leading trade finance institution, but as a globally competitive development bank seeking to match ambition with institutional discipline.