The Arab Republic of Egypt, a shareholder and member country of AFC, leveraged the Corporation’s A3 investment grade rating to access international capital markets at a time when borrowing costs are significantly elevated and market access is effectively shut for many emerging market issuers. The guaranteed Samurai bond issue allows Egypt to deepen its access to the Japanese bond market, while significantly lowering the country’s all-in cost of the funding, when compared to an equivalent new US Dollar benchmark Eurobond issue. This transaction demonstrates AFC’s commitment to providing counter-cyclical support to its member countries and African sovereigns in general, as they implement structural reforms and strategic investments aimed at delivering sustainable economic growth and development.
This bond offering is Egypt’s second foray into the Samurai bond market, coming on the back of an issuance of JPY 60 billion, 5-year Samurai Bonds in March 2022 that was guaranteed by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation with insurance provided by Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI). Proceeds of this bond issue will be used to finance the electricity supply infrastructure under the Government of Egypt’s largest agricultural projects being constructed on more than one million acres of land on the northwest coast of Egypt and is expected to contribute to Egypt’s food security and increase agricultural output by 15%.
Commenting on the bond issue, Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of Africa Finance Corporation, said, “This transaction demonstrates the very essence of AFC, an institution that provides innovative financing solutions to unleash Africa’s immense potential. We are proud to have acted as a reliable bridge connecting Egypt to global capital markets, proceeds of which will finance rapid industrialization and move the country away from exporting agricultural raw materials towards value addition and import substitution. With the right investment in infrastructure, Africa can become instrumental to the global solution to food insecurity.”
Egypt’s Minister of Finance, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Maait also commented on the issuance saying, “Egypt has succeeded in returning to the Japanese markets, as it closed its second Samurai bonds issuance offering of JPY 75 billion, equivalent to about US$500 million, at a pricing of 1.5% per annum and a term of 5 years. The pricing was made possible by the guarantee provided by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and full re-guarantee by Africa Finance Corporation. The bond issuance helps us to prolong the average life of the public debt portfolio, reduce the cost of external debt, diversify sources and financing instruments and expand the international investor base. Egypt continues to successfully access the international debt capital markets despite the harsh global economic climate driven by severe inflationary pressures and geopolitical tensions”.
AFC has enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with Egypt for many years, with the Arab Republic acceding to membership in 2021 and last year, becoming a shareholder of the Corporation. This successful bond issuance is testament to the significant benefits enjoyed by AFC member countries, as they are able to leverage the Corporation’s investment grade rating, network of partners and preferred creditor status in tapping new funding sources. Member countries also enjoy increased investment allocation, preferred access to AFC’s structuring and lending solutions for sovereign states, reduced debt costs for projects, and access to the Corporation’s Public Sector Advisory and Project Development facilities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
Transaction and Media Enquiries:
Banji Fehintola
Senior Director, Treasury & Financial Institutions
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile: +234 703 407 6570
Email: banji.fehintola@africafc.org
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile : +234 1 279 9654
Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org
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.
Sixteen 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 42 member countries and has invested US$12.7 billion across Africa since inception.
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