African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that its enterprise risk management framework has been registered as compliant with the ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management Standard by Certification Partner Global (CPG), marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s operational governance.
The certification, issued in November 2025 following rigorous independent assessments, found zero non-conformities in Afreximbank’s risk framework. The achievement places the Pan-African multilateral financial institution alongside leading global development banks and financial institutions that have attained the standard.
ISO 31000:2018, developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation, is widely regarded as the global benchmark for risk management, providing principles and guidelines for risk governance, design, implementation, and integration across organisations. The registration validates that Afreximbank’s framework meets international best practices while accommodating the complexities of operating across its 54 African member states and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Commenting on the accreditation, Dr. Elias Kagumya, Group Managing Director, Risk Management & Chief Risk Officer at Afreximbank, said:
“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. Our Risk Management Framework ensures that key programmes, platforms, and financial tools are managed in a stable and well-controlled manner.”
The certification aligns with Afreximbank’s Strategic Plan VI, which prioritises building a mature risk management framework, and reflects the Bank’s broader commitment to governance, transparency, and operational excellence.
CPG, the global accreditation body that conducted the assessment, said:
“Afreximbank’s Risk Management Framework represents a comprehensive and sophisticated approach to enterprise-wide risk governance. The Bank has demonstrated exceptional capability in identifying, assessing, treating, and monitoring risks across its diverse strategic programmes, platforms, and core instruments.”
Afreximbank said the ISO 31000:2018 registration enhances stakeholder confidence, strengthens enterprise-wide risk culture, and provides structured guidance for integrating risk considerations into strategy, financial planning, and operational decision-making.
The accreditation comes as Afreximbank continues to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and related initiatives, including the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which now connects 19 countries and more than 160 commercial banks, and the Africa Trade Gateway (ATG), which is transforming cross-border commerce on the continent.
With this recognition, Afreximbank reinforces its position as Africa’s leading trade finance institution and a globally competitive development bank committed to high standards of risk governance and operational excellence.
