Japan Credit Rating Boosts AFC’s Global Financial Power.

Monday 7th July 2025

By inAfrika Reporter

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has achieved a major milestone in its global financial journey with a long-term A+ credit rating from the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR). This rating reflects not just the Corporation’s financial strength but its growing influence in global capital markets. It opens new doors for AFC in Japan and Asia, helping secure lower borrowing costs and deepen international investor confidence.

JCR’s endorsement highlights AFC’s prudent financial management, its preferred creditor status, and its robust Capital Adequacy Ratio of 33.6%. In 2024 alone, AFC’s revenue surged past $1 billion, with total assets reaching $14.41 billion. With a liquidity coverage ratio well above 190%, AFC has positioned itself as a powerhouse in financing transformative infrastructure projects across the continent.

From power to transport and logistics, AFC’s portfolio is extensive and strategic. A prime example is the Lobito Corridor, a game-changing infrastructure project linking Angola’s Atlantic coast to Zambia through modern rail. Other notable achievements include $150 million invested in the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and a €381.5 million road network upgrade in Angola. These initiatives aren’t just about concrete they’re about creating jobs, unlocking mineral value chains, and integrating African economies.

Japanese financial giants Mizuho, MUFG, and Sumitomo Mitsui have become key allies in AFC’s mission, participating in bilateral and Samurai bond transactions. Together, they’ve helped mobilize capital for not just AFC, but also for sovereigns like Egypt. This growing partnership is solidifying Africa-Japan cooperation, even facilitating landmark deals like Nigeria’s $900 million dollar bond.

According to JCR, AFC’s risk management is exemplary, spanning credit, market, and environmental risks. Amid geopolitical instability and economic shifts, AFC is proving resilient and adaptive. Its latest innovations include Shariah-compliant instruments and hybrid bonds, cementing its role as a trailblazer in infrastructure financing.