Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has announced its most impactful year to date, with unprecedented expansion of projects and investments spanning energy, transportation, mining, food, textiles and climate resilience.

Underpinning robust growth in earnings and total assets, AFC successfully navigating the global geopolitical, inflationary and debt distress challenges of 2023 to implement critical infrastructure projects across multiple sectors that are central to Africa’s structural transformation and sustainable development.

Landmark initiatives include Djibouti’s first wind farm, with AFC as lead developer advancing plans to become the first African country wholly reliant on renewable sources for energy, and the Lobito Corridor rail project, with AFC again as lead developer working alongside the US, European Union and governments of Angola, DRC and Zambia to mobilise industry and connect the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Advancing industrialisation, value creation and livelihoods, AFC with its partner Arise IIP expanded the Arise Special Economic Zones to 10 West and Central African countries, focusing on essential sectors including food security, textiles and minerals.

“At the heart of AFC’s mission is our commitment to deliver impactful solutions for Africa, and this guides each and every investment we undertake,” said Samaila Zubairu, AFC’s President and CEO. “AFC’s impact is evident in our solutions-oriented approach and unwavering commitment to realising transformative projects across Africa—infrastructure projects like the Red Sea Power Wind Farm in Djibouti, the Arise IIP industrial zones and the Lobito transport corridor that are reshaping the landscape, fostering sustainable development for local communities, and altering the economic trajectory of countries.”

Created through powerful international collaborations, AFC projects undertaken in 2023 also include a joint initiative with Xcalibur Multiphysics to advance the mapping and responsible utilisation of Africa’s natural mineral resources, enabling greater mineral beneficiation, diversified economies, and clean energy transition. In DRC, the Corporation has committed to helping overhaul Kinshasa’s mass transit system to enhance mobility and reduce pollution through a partnership with Trans Connexion Congo.

A historic commitment of US$253 million from the Green Climate Fund to the AFC Capital Partners’ Infrastructure Climate Resilient Fund (ICRF) marked a significant step toward developing sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure in Africa.

Each initiative blends meaningful development impact and environmental sustainability with strong risk-adjusted returns, leveraging AFC’s unique experience of de-risking project development to crowd in capital and accelerate completion.

“In a year marked by global economic and geopolitical complexities, AFC has stood as a beacon of resilience, delivering value to all stakeholders while creating jobs and prosperity through structural transformation across Africa,” said Mr. Zubairu. “Our robust financial results reflect AFC’s unwavering commitment to unlock practical solutions for projects that enhance local value capture and spur industrialisation.”

AFC’s annual profit rose 15.3% to US$329.7 million, while operating income increased 24.2% to US$497.5 million, and total assets expanded 17.3% to US$12.34 billion, surpassing the Corporation’s 5-year strategy target by US$2.3 billion.

Further significant financial highlights include:

Return on average equity at 11.0% (2022: 12.1%)
Net interest income up 31.3% to US$430.5 million (2022: US$327.9 million)
Total comprehensive income up 14.6% to US$327.0 million (2022: US$285.3 million)
Capital adequacy ratio increased to 34.5% (2022: 34.3%)

AFC’s high-profile exit from the Atlantic Terminal Port in Takoradi, Ghana, through a sale to major global ports operator Yilport exemplified strategic divestment.

The Corporation expanded its presence with three new member states—Ethiopia, Burundi, São Tomé and Príncipe—bringing the total to 43. Six new sovereign shareholders were also onboarded, including Turk Eximbank becoming the first non-African shareholder. Equity investments in addition from the governments of Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Botswana, Cameroon’s Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale (CNPS), and SBM Capital Market Securities Ltd. in Mauritius helped increase AFC’s total equity by 26.7% to US$3.42 billion.

Debt market transactions further broadened AFC’s investor base with significant global financial institutions participating in a record US$625 million syndicated loan, supported by a 62% oversubscription. The Corporation also received a US$350 million line of credit from the African Development Bank and a €50 million facility from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, showcasing the Corporation’s ability to attract regional and international institutions.

“As AFC charts its course to further elevate our impact across the continent, we remain deeply appreciative of the unwavering support of our stakeholders and the dedication of our team, whose passion drives our mission forward,” said Mr. Zubairu. “With a refreshed strategic agenda emphasizing balanced portfolio growth, innovative financing, and enhanced operational capacity, AFC is well-positioned to shape a robust future for African infrastructure and development.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Media Enquiries:
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 pragmatic 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.

Seventeen 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 43 member countries and has invested US$13 billion across Africa since inception. www.AfricaFC.org

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

The two leaders exchanged greetings on the advent of the blessed Eid Al Fitr, praying to Allah the Almighty to bless the two countries and the Arab and Muslim nations with renewed goodness, blessings, and prosperity, to protect their two peoples from all harm, and to grant them lasting security, stability, and prosperity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, met with His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in the capital, Freetown, where the two sides discussed ways to develop bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields of common interest.

His Excellency conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, to His Excellency and their wishes for his country and people to achieve further progress and prosperity.

For his part, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio conveyed his greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and his wishes for further development and growth for the government and people of the UAE.

During the meeting, His Excellency stressed the continuous progress in relations between the UAE and the Republic of Sierra Leone, and highlighted both nations’ keenness to advance cooperation to new levels to achieve the interests of both countries and peoples.

This visit is part of a tour conducted by His Excellency and his accompanying delegation to several countries in the African continent, aiming to strengthen the deep-rooted and close partnership between the UAE and the countries of Africa, to achieve the interests and fulfill the aspirations of people within both regions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) (https://apo-opa.co/4apZNya) have brought the curtain down on the AFAWA Finance Series Togo conference, a key note event aimed at  promoting a better understanding of the financing needs of Togolese women entrepreneurs and debunking the myth that women-run companies are risky ventures.

The three-day event, which ended on Thursday 28 March 2024, brought together some 180 leading figures responsible for policy and regulation in favour of women’s financial inclusion, and representatives of financial institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises and business incubators run or owned by women.

Specific training was provided to about 30 Togolese financial institutions. The courses helped to enhance understanding of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) (https://apo-opa.co/4cPI8Sg) initiative and its ‘guarantee’ mechanism, and demonstrated the commercial benefits of doing a better job of targeting women entrepreneurs by developing gender-sensitive ranges of products and services.

The objective was to better understand the needs of women entrepreneurs and collectively address the challenges they face in terms of access to funding, while exploring the opportunities offered by the Guarantee for Growth programme, designed by the African Development Bank Group through the AFAWA, and implemented by the AGF. This innovative programme aims to make up to $3 billion available for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises, via guarantees to financial institutions to mitigate lending risks.

Wilfried Abiola, the Bank’s Country Manager for Togo, explained the initiative challenged economic and social stereotypes.

“The AFAWA initiative is not just a financial instrument; it aims to change the narrative and general perceptions, to transform the notion that small and medium-sized enterprises run by women are risky businesses. AFAWA is working to turn these businesses into substantial investment opportunities for institutions, in particular through the Guarantee for Growth programme, which was designed by the Bank,” he declared.

According to Jules Ngankam, CEO of the AGF, “AFAWA also aims to bring together financial and public sector actors to boost human and financial capital so that women can attain their full potential and participate completely in the growth of our continent. We are extremely optimistic that the impact will be significant in the long term and will stimulate economic growth in Togo.”

The financing gap for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in Togo is close to $45 million. Closing this gap represents a priority for the Togolese authorities, who intend to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, boost the private sector and thereby support inclusive economic growth.

“Through the government’s action, 25 percent of public contracts are now awarded to women and young people, and on the economic front, the government aims to resolve the problem of access to credit for women and girls with the establishment of the National Fund for Inclusive Finance, which has helped more than 1.2 million women,” said Koffi Gani, Principal Private Secretary for the Togolese Minister for Social Action, the Advancement of Women and Literacy.

The AFAWA Finance Series Togo conference is part of a series of events organised right across Africa to promote access to finance for businesses run or owned by women. It represents a considerable step towards accomplishing the ambitious goal of funding women-led businesses to the tune of $5 billion by 2026.

The African Development Bank, through the AFAWA initiative, has approved approximately $1.7 billion in cumulative investments and $54.5 million in technical assistance, and has partnered with 96 financial institutions in 32 regional member countries. Over 7,000 women-led small and medium-sized enterprises have now reaped the benefits of its support in Africa.

AFAWA is supported by the Women Enterpreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), the G7 countries of France, Italy, Canada and Germany, as well as the Netherlands and Sweden.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Désirée Bataba
Communication and External Relations Department
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org