Q1 2026 Business Update

About this update from Asa International Group Plc

ASA International Group plc - Q1 2026 Business Update ASA International Group plc (LSE: ASAI), one of the world's largest international microfinance institutions, today provides a business operations update for the three-month period ended 31 March 2026 . Highlights ·    Portfolio 25% ahead year-on-year, with March growth resumption The momentum seen in 2025 has continued into 2026 with ASA International having a solid start to 2026, with Gross Outstanding Loan Portfolio (Gross OLP) of USD 583.2m as at 31 March 2026, 25% higher than a year ago. This provides a stronger foundation for the remainder of 2026 given the compounding effect of a larger OLP base. Compared to Q4 2025, the loan portfolio was largely flat, reflecting usual seasonal repayment patterns after the holiday period. As with last year, OLP growth resumed again in March. ·    Client base expansion in continuing markets Excluding India, the client base increased by 12% year-on-year to 2.7m and grew 1% during Q1 2026, despite normal seasonal effects. Including India, where operations are being proactively wound down, the Group client base decreased by 2% versus December 2025. Client growth in Q1 2026 was driven primarily by Pakistan, Uganda, and Kenya. ·    Industry-leading portfolio quality sustained High portfolio quality was maintained in the first quarter. PAR>30 rose slightly to 2.0% as at 31 March 2026 from 1.8% as at 31 December 2025, broadly in line with the level seen at the end of Q1 2025 (2.2%). ·    Digital rollout strengthens scalable growth platform March 2026 marked another major milestone with the successful launch of the enhanced banking platform and digital financial services app in Tanzania, designed to deliver a faster, more seamless client experience and support scalable growth. Building on this progress, preparations for the Kenya rollout later this year have moved into a more intensive phase. ·    India wind-down materially reduces exposure and simplifies the Group Major progress was made towards winding down operations in India ahead of full deconsolidation. As at 31 March 2026, India clients had reduced by 75% year-on-year to 38k, the branch network by 53% to 75, and Gross OLP by 76% year-on-year to USD 7.2m. On-book loans have been fully written down and the off-book portfolio has been deliberately shrunk by 76% versus Q4 2025. In March 2026, a shareholder loan to ASA India was waived and NCDs were redeemed for a nominal value of INR 1, generating an accounting gain of USD 11.4m at Group level, likely to be partially offset by additional restructuring costs. Rob Keijsers, ASA International CEO, said: "Q1 2026 demonstrates the underlying strength and discipline of ASA International's platform. Across our continuing operating platform, we delivered solid portfolio performance alongside continued client growth across key markets, with particularly strong momentum in Pakistan and East Africa. Portfolio quality remains robust and among the best in the industry, reflecting the effectiveness of our risk management and long-standing client relationships. "We also made decisive progress in reshaping and simplifying the Group, while advancing our digital agenda with the successful rollout of our new core banking system and digital financial services platform in Tanzania. These actions strengthen our foundation for sustainable growth, enhance operational resilience, and position us well to expand responsible financial access for millions of underserved female entrepreneurs. " Business Operations Update Clients (in thousands) Delta Number of branches Delta   End of period Mar-25 Dec-25 Mar-26 Mar 25 -   Mar 26 Dec 25 -   Mar 26 Mar-25 Dec-25 Mar-26 Mar 25 -     Mar 26 Dec 25 -  Mar 26 Pakistan 671 741 780 16% 5% 397 405 405 2% 0%   Sri Lanka 44 46 48 8% 4% 63 63 63 0% 0%     South Asia 715 787 827 16% 5% 460 468 468 2% 0%   The Philippines 360 369 362 1% -2% 424 415 415 -2% 0%   Myanmar 125 133 136 9% 2% 91 91 92 1% 1%     Southeast Asia 485 502 498 3% -1% 515 506 507 -2% 0%   Ghana 227 245 243 7% -1% 153 154 154 1% 0%   Nigeria 153 165 159 4% -3% 269 269 269 0% 0%   Sierra Leone 43 50 49 13% -3% 49 48 48 -2% 0%     West Africa 423 460 451 7% -2% 471 471 471 0% 0%   Tanzania 291 321 316 9% -1% 231 244 247 7% 1%   Kenya 264 312 316 19% 1% 153 160 170 11% 6%   Uganda 159 214 222 39% 3% 133 133 140 5% 5%   Rwanda 23 23 22 -4% -2% 37 37 37 0% 0%   Zambia 29 37 35 23% -3% 39 55 54 38% -2%     East Africa 767 907 911 19% 0% 593 629 648 9% 3.0%   Group (Ex-India) 2,390 2,655 2,688 12% 1% 2,039 2,074 2,094 3% 1%   India (total) 154 118 38 -75% -68% 159 158 75 -53% -53%     Group 2,544 2,773 2,725 7% -2% 2,198 2,232 2,169 -1% -3%     ·    Excluding India, total clients increased to 2.7m by the end of Q1 2026, 12% higher than the previous year and 1% higher during Q1 2026, despite normal seasonal effects. Including India, where operations are being proactively wound down, the Group client base decreased by 2% versus December 2025. Growth was primarily driven by increased client numbers in Pakistan, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.  Gross OLP (in USDm)  Delta  PAR >30   End of period Mar-25 Dec-25 Mar-26 Mar 25 -         Mar 26 (USD) Mar 25 -        Mar 26 (CC) Dec 25 -          Mar 26 (USD) Dec 25 -          Mar 26 (CC) Mar-25 Dec-25 Mar-26 Pakistan 93.2 118.1 128.9 38% 38% 9% 9% 0.4% 0.4% 0.5% Sri Lanka 5.6 6.6 7.1 26% 34% 7% 9% 4.4% 4.5% 4.0%   South Asia 98.8 124.7 136.0 38% 38% 9% 9% 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% The Philippines 62.8 61.4 59.7 -5% 1% -3% 0% 7.1% 6.2% 6.3% Myanmar 29.2 21.1 22.6 -23% 34% 7% 9% 0.2% 0.7% 0.6%   Southeast Asia 92.0 82.5 82.3 -10% 11% 0% 2% 4.9% 4.8% 4.7% Ghana 70.5 141.9 128.5 82% 29% -9% -5% 0.2% 0.9% 1.3% Nigeria 12.9 18.9 18.7 46% 32% -1% -5% 3.6% 2.8% 4.2% Sierra Leone 6.6 9.3 9.2 40% 40% 0% 0% 10.3% 5.3% 6.4%   West Africa 90.0 170.0 156.4 74% 30% -8% -5% 1.4% 1.3% 1.9% Tanzania 82.3 103.2 92.6 13% 10% -10% -6% 1.5% 2.1% 2.4% Kenya 38.3 47.6 50.3 31% 32% 6% 6% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% Uganda 20.4 39.0 44.0 115% 121% 13% 17% 0.1% 0.2% 0.4% Rwanda 5.5 7.3 7.0 26% 30% -5% -4% 4.8% 8.6% 11.6% Zambia 3.4 6.3 7.5 119% 48% 19% 2% 3.5% 4.8% 9.2%   East Africa 149.9 203.5 201.3 34% 33% -1% 2% 1.2% 1.6% 2.0% Group (Ex-India) 430.7 580.7 576.0 34% 27% -1% 0% 1.9% 1.8% 2.1% India (total) 34.5 30.2 7.2 -75% -73% -72% -71% 6.0% 2.8% 0.7%   Group 465.2 611.0 583.2 25% 19% -5% -4% 2.2% 1.8% 2.0%   ·    Across the continuing operating platform, Gross OLP of USD 576.0m as at 31 March 2026 was significantly ahead of the same period in 2025 (+34%) and broadly stable compared to the end of Q4 2025. Major positive contributions came from Pakistan, Uganda, and Kenya. Total Group Gross OLP increased 25% year-on-year to USD 583.2m and decreased 5% compared to the end of Q4 2025. ·    PAR>30, including off-book loans and excluding loans overdue for more than 365 days, slightly increased to 2.0% as at 31 March 2026 from 1.8% at the end of December 2025. This still represents industry-leading asset quality and is similar to the level seen a year ago (2.2%). PAR>30 in Q1 was influenced by countries rebuilding their operations, such as Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. Outstanding portfolio quality was maintained in Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda, with PAR>30 of less than 0.5% as at 31 March 2026. Notes (1) All data in this announcement is unaudited (2) Constant currency ('CC') implies conversion of local currency results to USD with the exchange rate from the end of March 2025 and December 2025. (3) PAR refers to 'Portfolio at Risk'. PAR>30 is the percentage of outstanding customer loans with at least one instalment payment overdue 30 days, excluding loans more than 365 days overdue, to Gross OLP including off-book loans. (4) 'ASA International', the 'Company', the 'Group' all refer to ASA International Group plc and its subsidiaries. Enquiries ASA International Group plc Investor Relations Jonathan Berger [email protected] About ASA International Group plc ASA International Group plc (LSE: ASAI) is one of the world's largest international microfinance institutions, with a strong commitment to financial inclusion and socioeconomic progress. The company provides small, socially responsible loans to low-income, financially underserved entrepreneurs, predominantly women, across South Asia, South East Asia, West and East Africa. Disclaimer This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, nor any solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities. The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restriction.

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