Africa Finance Corporation

At the Lobito Corridor Leaders’ Summit, co-hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and Angola’s President João Lourenço, and attended by President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Vice President Philip Mpango of Tanzania, and representatives from the private sector, AFC’s President and CEO Samaila Zubairu announced groundbreaking commitments to advance this transformative initiative. “This project symbolizes what African leaders and partners can achieve when united by a shared vision.”   Watch Samalia ‘s highlight in the video below Watch the full session: https://bit.ly/3OLcbQb

The Zambia-Lobito Rail project received pivotal support from US President Joe Biden’s just concluded visit to Angola, with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as the lead developer announcing a series of commitments that underscore the project’s urgency and transformative potential to deliver economic benefits that transcend borders. In a speech at the Lobito Corridor Leaders Summit, co-hosted by President Biden and President Joao Lourenço of Angola, and attended by Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia, Vice President of Tanzania and representation from the private sector, AFC’s President and CEO Samaila Zubairu announced: - Lobito rail project will break ground by early 2026, AFC CEO Zubairu says at Presidential forum - AFC commits up to US$500m in financing for Zambia-Lobito greenfield rail - AFC announces MOU with Kobold Metals as anchor client, guaranteeing at - least 300,000 tons of copper and related freight per year - AFC pledges US$100 million to Kobaloni Energy for Zambia’s first battery-grade copper sulphate facility Read more: https://lnkd.in/dhkFaAke

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) today announced its role as Global Coordinator, Lead Co-Arranger, Underwriter, Bookrunner, and Guarantor in the largest-ever global loan syndication for Bank of Industry Limited at up to €2 billion, setting a new standard for developmental finance across Africa. Read the full announcement :  https://lnkd.in/dehbTGcE

Last week, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) engaged with Turk Eximbank, its esteemed shareholder, during a visit to Türkiye. The meeting was led by Banji Fehintola, CFA , AFC's Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services. This engagement underscores the robust partnership between AFC and Turk Eximbank, aiming to enhance trade and infrastructure investments between Africa and Türkiye. The discussions focused on how both institutions will jointly finance infrastructure projects and promote economic prosperity of Africa. Both institutions committed to leveraging this partnership to foster cross-border trade and investments.   In December 2023, Turk Eximbank became AFC's first non-African shareholder, marking a significant milestone in fostering inter-regional cooperation. AFC also participated in the Green Business Forum, organized by SustainFinance, in Türkiye. Banji Fehintola represented the Corporation and spoke on the panel that discussed Transformational Leadership; the steps taken by industry leaders to address the urgent issues of climate change and reduce global warming on a path to greener future. The forum convened international business leaders and finance experts to discuss the integration of sustainability at the executive level and to develop actionable strategies for a sustainable future. AFC is committed to collaborating with global partners to advance sustainable investment practices and contribute to Africa’s pragmatic energy transition.

As U.S. President Joe Biden visits Angola to promote the Lobito Railway project, lead developer AFC’s President and CEO, Samaila Zubairu sets expectations for “bipartisan support” in the U.S. Bloomberg’s report by Matt Hill showcases the $1.6 billion Lobito rail corridor as a transformative initiative enhancing Africa's mineral exports and strengthening global supply chains ahead of the Biden visit and this week’s Lobito Corridor Summit Reception. Hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa and AIPEX Angola in Luanda, on December 4, the summit will feature remarks from key stakeholders, including: - H.E. José de Lima Massano, Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Republic of Angola - Samaila Zubairu, AFC President & CEO - Helaina Matza, Acting Special Coordinator, PGI, U.S. Department of State - Amb. Molly Phee, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs We look forward to celebrating this milestone in Africa’s infrastructure development and fostering meaningful dialogue. Read more in Bloomberg’s feature: https://lnkd.in/dhcTsar5

We are honored to have received top honours as Financial Adviser of the Year at the 2024 IJInvestor Awards. Held last night at a gala dinner in London, the Corporation received this prestigious award for providing unique financial advisory services to partners on transformational infrastructure projects that drive industrialisation and economic advancement across Africa. AFC stood uniquely as the only African institution nominated alongside global industry leaders. Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/eMjCavGQ

Africa’s agricultural bounty offers scope to feed every mouth on the continent and far beyond, driving significant economic growth. Navigating the complex logistics of perishable exports remains the biggest challenge. In the Logistics Update Africa article, AFC Senior Director, and Head of Transport & Logistics, Osam Iyahen points out key gaps such as roads, cold chain infrastructure, fragmented value chains and absence of an organised marketplace for perishables. He emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable investments to overcome these obstacles and unlock Africa's full potential in perishable exports. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/eQ4vq-C3

AFC Outlines Three Pillars for Africa’s Critical Minerals Growth: Franklin Edochie, AFC’s Senior Vice President for Natural Resources, Metals & Mining, highlights the importance of strategic financial partnerships, localized value addition, and advancing mining technology collaboration to expand Africa’s energy transition metals sector. Speaking with the investment platform, Energy Capital & Power during Critical Minerals Africa Summit 2024, Franklin emphasizes the role of infrastructure development and sustainable practices in positioning Africa as a global leader in critical minerals. Catch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gNvNBKP9

The Food and Energy Security in Africa conference underscored the importance of public-private partnerships and actionable policies to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria and beyond. Hosted by Africa Finance Corporation with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), NSIA: Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and White & Case LLP, the event brought together an assembly of thought leaders, industrialists, financiers, and policymakers in Lagos. AFC’s President & CEO Samaila Zubairu discussed the critical intersection of infrastructure, food security, and sustainable energy for Africa's resilience and growth. A standout moment of the event was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NSIA and AFC. This collaboration is set to transform Nigeria’s storage and logistics infrastructure, addressing key gaps that hinder food security.

🌟 What an Incredible Session! 🌟 This session tackled Nigeria's mining sector challenges, their root causes, and impacts. Discussions also focused on policy and governance reforms to enhance the operating and investment landscape, aligning with the African Union's Africa Mining Vision (AMV). 🌍 ✨ Special thanks to our amazing speakers: - Lolade Ososami, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie - Molebogeng Mazibuko, Africa Finance Corporation - Lumun Amanda Feese, Consultant, VUKA Group - 'Dele Ayanleke, President, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) - Prof. Peter Terkaa Akper, SAN, OFR, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Studies (NIALS) & NESG - Abdulkadir Ahmed, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Their insights are a stepping stone toward a thriving and diversified mining future for Nigeria! 💡🚀 #NigeriaMiningWeek