Download logoAfrica Finance Corporation (AFC) (https://www.AfricaFC.org/), the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, has successfuly closed a US$389 million dual currency Samurai term loan facility, split into US$382 million and JPY ¥1 billion.
The transaction marks AFC’s second foray into the Japanese capital markets, following an inaugural Samurai loan facility in 2019, when the Corporation raised US$233 million and JPY1 billion.
The 3-year tenor facility is an important step as AFC builds a coalition of investors to diversify its funding sources, including more institutional capital from Asia and existing partners in Europe and North America. Japanese investors showed strong interest in the issuance with Mizuho Bank Ltd, MUFG Bank Ltd. ("MUFG"), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation ("SMBC") acting as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners. Other participating financial institutions include Bank of Yokohama, Norinchukin Bank, Shiga Bank and Gunma Bank. Proceeds from this facility will be used for general corporate purposes.
AFC has a strong record in the Asian capital markets, issuing a US$300 million loan facility through the Export-Import Bank of China in 2018 and a US$140 million Kimchi term loan facility in 2019. Asia is key to Africa’s next phase of growth and Japan, in particular, is an important player as the country has shifted the focus of its engagement with Africa in recent years from giving aid to increasing investment. The government of Japan, shifting its focus from aid to investment, recently pledged $30 billion over the next three years for the resilient and sustainable development of the African continent. The announcement was made during the recently concluded eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), signalling a boom in Africa-Asia economic relations.
Banji Fehintola, Senior Director and Treasurer of AFC, said: “Asia is a very important region for us and the participation of Asian investors in our bond issuances has grown significantly over time. The success of this loan offering is testament to AFC’s ability to diversify its funding sources in mobilising global capital to build critical infrastructure in Africa and transform lives.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
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Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
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Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org
Gavin Serkin
New Markets Media & Intelligence
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Email: gserkin@newmarkets.media
About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for private sector-led infrastructure investment across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.
Fifteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has invested over US$10 billion by in 35 countries across Africa since inception.https://www.AfricaFC.org/
