Afreximbank Approves $500m Loan Facility to Strengthen Tunisia’s Economy, Safeguard Essential Imports
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a US$500 million term loan facility with the Central Bank of Tunisia on behalf of the country’s Ministry of Finance, in a move aimed at strengthening Tunisia’s economic stability, protecting critical imports, and supporting the government’s broader socio-economic development agenda.
The agreement, signed at Afreximbank’s headquarters, brought together the bank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. George Elombi, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, Dr. Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, alongside senior officials from both institutions.
The latest financing package comes, as Tunisia continues to navigate economic pressures, including foreign currency shortages, rising import costs and growing trade financing needs. The facility builds on the US$1.2 billion previously disbursed by Afreximbank to Tunisia’s central bank, reflecting the lender’s continued commitment to supporting African economies facing external financial constraints.
According to Afreximbank, the funding will enable the Tunisian government to settle maturing trade debt obligations while ensuring uninterrupted imports of essential commodities such as fuel, fertilizers and food products. The facility is also expected to improve the country’s foreign exchange liquidity, helping businesses access the foreign currency required to sustain trade and industrial activities.
Some economic analysts say the intervention is expected to cushion supply chain disruptions, stabilise domestic markets and reduce the risk of shortages of strategic goods that directly affect households, farmers and local industries. Improved access to fertilizers and fuel, for instance, could support agricultural production, lower production costs and help protect food security, while steady fuel imports are vital for transportation, electricity generation and industrial operations.
The facility could help ease pressure on the availability of basic commodities for ordinary Tunisians, by enabling the government to maintain import flows, during a period of constrained global financing. Small/Medium-scale enterprises that depend on imported raw materials, are also expected to benefit from improved access to foreign exchange, supporting business continuity, job retention and economic productivity.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Afreximbank President Dr. George Elombi said the agreement underlines the bank’s commitment to supporting Tunisia and advancing Africa’s long-term economic transformation. He noted that the partnership is happening at a time when many international development finance institutions, are reducing their exposure to Africa, stressing that African-owned financial institutions must progressively take the lead in financing the continent’s development priorities.
Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, Dr. Fethi Zouhaier Nouri, described the facility as timely support, saying access to trade finance and foreign currency remains essential for sustaining critical imports and strengthening national economic resilience. He added that the agreement demonstrates the growing capacity of African financial institutions, to collaborate in addressing common economic challenges, while supporting governments in delivering development objectives.
Besides its immediate financial impact, the transaction highlights Afreximbank’s expanding countercyclical role in helping African countries withstand global economic shocks. Through trade finance, liquidity support and project financing, the bank continues to assist member states in strengthening trade resilience, safeguarding strategic imports and expanding participation in both intra-African and international trade.
The latest facility also reflects growing efforts by African financial institutions to mobilise home-grown capital to address development financing gaps, reduce dependence on external lenders and support sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Media Contact: Vincent Musumba | Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations) | Email: press@afreximbank.com
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About Afreximbank: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A strong supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody’s (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com
