InfraCredit, an 'AAA' rated specialised infrastructure credit guarantee institution, has announced the successful completion of a $15 million subordinated unsecured 10-year facility with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
The strategic partnership marks the second investment by AfDB in InfraCredit, following an initial $10m facility in 2020.
Director General, African Development Bank Group, Mr. Lamin Barrow, who expressed the Bank's satisfaction with the operation, said, "Our support to institutions such as InfraCredit clearly demonstrates the importance of promoting innovative and scalable solutions to leverage pools of capital from domestic institutional investors, and position local capital markets as viable alternative source of long-term funding to bridge the continent's huge infrastructure deficit."
Specifically, the $15m facility strengthens InfraCredit's capital base and supports its mission to bridge Nigeria's infrastructure financing gap. The facility will boost private sector financing for critical infrastructure projects across sectors such as power, renewable energy, telecommunications, healthcare, green housing, and transportation.
Following this facility investment, InfraCredit's funded capital base will increase to $187m (c. N264 billion). This investment by AfDB underscores its confidence in InfraCredit's robust business fundamentals and commitment to sustainable development.
By leveraging domestic capital markets, InfraCredit aims to deepen the local debt capital market, attracting long-term investors and fostering economic growth.
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This investment aligns with AfDB's support for InfraCredit's Clean Energy Transition Strategy and Roadmap, as well as InfraCredit's green finance achievements. It reflects AfDB's commitment to promoting low-carbon development and climate mitigation by leveraging private sector climate finance.
Over the past 7 years, InfraCredit's guarantees have facilitated access to N218bn ($445m) in local currency finance for 12 first-time issuers and over 20 infrastructure projects. InfraCredit's support enabled Nigeria's first 15-year green infrastructure bond and extended corporate bond tenors beyond market norms to 20 years.
Chief Executive Officer of InfraCredit, Chinua Azubike, said: "We are delighted by AfDB's confidence in our business model, which has successfully facilitated private sector investment in impactful infrastructure projects and InfraCredit's clean energy roadmap that has accelerated green finance for climate-aligned infrastructure, fostering SME growth, job creation, sustainable energy access, and overall economic development.
"Despite challenging market conditions, we have consistently demonstrated strong fundamentals, solid portfolio performance, a proven track record and profitability.
"The further expansion of our capital base by this facility will bolster our ability to support access to long-term local currency domestic credit for our rapidly growing pipeline of infrastructure projects currently worth over N839bn ($579m), fostering job creation and economic growth."
