Kenya, December 15 2025 - The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has successfully closed its second Samurai bond transaction, raising JPY 81.8 billion (approximately USD 527 million) through both Regular and Retail Samurai bond offerings.
The milestone surpasses the Bank’s 2024 debut issuance and reflects growing Japanese investor confidence in Afreximbank’s creditworthiness and its expanding footprint in the yen capital markets.
The Regular Samurai bond comprised a JPY 45.8 billion, three-year tranche, priced on 18 November following extensive investor engagement activities across Japan.
These included Non-Deal Roadshows in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Shiga, and Osaka, a Global Investor Call, and a soft-sounding process that gauged appetite across maturities ranging from 2.5 to 10 years.
With expectations of a Bank of Japan interest rate increase, investor demand gravitated toward shorter tenors, resulting in a concentrated focus on the three-year tranche.
The tranche drew broad participation from asset managers (22.3%), life insurers (15.3%), and high-net-worth investors (39.7%) alongside regional corporates.
Concurrently, the Bank priced its second Retail Samurai bond, a JPY 36.0 billion, three-year tranche, more than doubling the inaugural Retail Samurai issuance of JPY 14.1 billion in 2024.
The 2025 Retail Samurai bond also represents the first Retail Samurai issuance in Japan this year.
Following an amendment to its shelf registration on 7 November, Afreximbank worked with SMBC Nikko Securities Inc., acting as Sole Lead Manager and Bookrunner, to conduct a seven-business-day nationwide demand survey, followed by a six-day bond offering period.
The offering was further supported by Afreximbank’s visibility at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), where it hosted the Africa Finance Seminar, highlighting its mandate, credit profile, and investment opportunities in Africa to Japanese institutional investors.
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Commenting on the transaction, Chandi Mwenebungu, Afreximbank’s Managing Director, Treasury & Markets and Group Treasurer, said: “We are pleased with the successful completion of our second Samurai bond transactions, which marked a significant increase from our inaugural Retail Samurai bond in 2024, and which reflect the growing depth of our relationship with Japanese investors.
The strong demand, both in the Regular and Retail offerings, demonstrates sustained confidence in Afreximbank’s credit and mandate. We remain committed to deepening our engagement in the Samurai market through regular investor activities and continued collaboration with our Japanese partners.”
The successful issuance underscores Afreximbank’s evolving strategy to diversify its funding sources and strengthen its position in international capital markets.
It also signals confidence in Africa’s growth potential, as the Bank continues to provide innovative financial solutions that support intra- and extra-African trade, industrialization, and regional economic integration.
Afreximbank, a Pan-African multilateral financial institution, has over three decades of experience in facilitating trade and development across the continent.
It supports the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) through financing initiatives and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
As of December 2024, the Bank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over USD 40.1 billion, with shareholder funds of USD 7.2 billion, and it holds investment-grade ratings from major credit agencies.
The Bank’s growing credibility in Japan reflects a broader trend of international investors seeking exposure to African development projects, highlighting Afreximbank’s ability to leverage capital markets to mobilize funds for the continent’s economic transformation.
With this second Samurai bond, Afreximbank not only solidifies its relationship with Japanese investors but also positions itself for further issuances in yen, strengthening its global funding base while demonstrating Africa’s investment potential to key international markets.

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