Afreximbank’s decision to terminate its relationship with the ratings agency Fitch has reignited debate over how multilateral development banks with sovereign shareholders and treaty‑based protections should be assessed within the global credit ratings system.


The move follows a months‑long dispute after Fitch downgraded the bank’s long‑term issuer rating from BBB to BBB‑ with a negative outlook in June 2025, citing concerns over loan quality and exposure to sovereign borrowers such as Ghana, South Sudan and Zambia.


Speaking to Thami Ngubeni, Dr Misheck Mutize, Lead Technical Expert for the AU African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Credit Ratings Programme, discussed the broader implications of the standoff and what it means for Africa’s push toward establishing its own credit rating agency.

Afreximbank&rsquo;s decision to terminate its relationship with the ratings agency Fitch has reignited debate over how multilateral development banks with sovereign shareholders and treaty‑based protections should be assessed within the global credit ratings system.
 The move follows a months‑long dispute after Fitch downgraded the bank&rsquo;s long‑term issuer rating from BBB to BBB‑ with a negative outlook in June 2025, citing concerns over loan quality and exposure to sovereign borrowers such as Ghana, South Sudan and Zambia.
 Speaking to Thami Ngubeni, Dr Misheck Mutize, Lead Technical Expert for the AU African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Credit Ratings Programme, discussed the broader implications of the standoff and what it means for Africa&rsquo;s push toward establishing its own credit rating agency.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks &amp; market updates.