Cygnum Capital

The ALCB Fund, in collaboration with the IFC - International Finance Corporation, has invested in the debut XOF 20 billion (USD 32 million) Sustainability Bond issuance of Baobab Sénégal. Bond proceeds will be applied to provide loans to over 5,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in #Senegal, including women-owned/led businesses. This transaction represents the first thematic bond in #Senegal and the first sustainable bond in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) issued by the private sector. The transaction was the outcome of a collaboration between the ALCB Fund, IFC, and USAID's Entrepreneuriat & Investissement programme. The ALCB Fund provided financing on behalf of both the Fund and IFC, with IFC in turn providing a credit guarantee equal to 45% of the Fund’s investment. The ALCB Fund is managed by Cygnum Capital — ALCB Fund, en collaboration avec IFC - International Finance Corporation, a investi dans la première émission obligataire durable de @Baobab Senegal. Cette émission permet à Baobab Senegal de lever 20 milliards de FCFA (32 millions de dollars) qui serviront notamment à accorder des prêts à des taux abordables à plus de 5000 micro-entrepreneurs et TPE au Sénégal, y compris des entreprises appartenant à des femmes et/ou dirigées par des femmes. Cette transaction représente la première obligation thématique au #Sénégal et la première obligation durable dans l'Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine (UEMOA) émise par un acteur du secteur privé. La transaction est le résultat d'une collaboration entre le ALCB Fund, IFC et le programme Entrepreneuriat & Investissement de l'agence américaine pour le développement international (USAID E&I). Le ALCB Fund a investi un montant global de 10,5 milliards de FCFA dont 45% est couvert par une garantie de crédit de IFC. Le ALCB Fund est géré par Cygnum Capital. #africanbusiness #sustainabledevelopment #capitalmarkets #sustainability #thematicbonds #genderinvestment #inclusivegrowth #sdgs #waemu Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eNhHhWsD

We are delighted to announce that the AfricaGoGreen Fund has provided USD 11 million of senior debt finance to facilitate Mawingu's expansion into #EastAfrica alongside investments from InfraCo Africa and FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank. Mawingu is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provides low-cost access to the internet across rural and peri-urban communities in #Kenya to unconnected businesses and consumers. Today, they announced the acquisition of Habari, a Tanzanian-based ISP with over 25 years of providing Internet/ICT solutions in the country, allowing Mawingu to provide increased digital connectivity across East Africa, particularly in regions and communities that have not been a priority for larger ISPs. Laurène Aigrain, Managing Director of the AfricaGoGreen Fund, said: “We are thrilled to support an #ISP that is not only expanding internet access to remote communities but doing so with sustainability at its core. This investment aligns perfectly with AfricaGoGreen Fund’s mission to back climate-friendly solutions that drive real change.” Africa GoGreen is managed by Cygnum Capital. #realchange #sustainabledevelopment #inclusivegrowth #newopportunities #connectivity #africanbusiness #climatechange #greenenergy #sustainability #climatefriendlyinvestments #internetaccess See more here: https://lnkd.in/ezNqu2i7

We are delighted to see today's announcement at COP29 Azerbaijan of British International Investment's USD 16 million commitment to the AfricaGoGreen Fund, managed by Cygnum Capital, to advance climate resilience initiatives in Africa. Having now raised over USD 166 million at final close, Africa GoGreen will expand access to finance for climate-friendly projects, such as purchasing high-efficiency appliances and industrial equipment, retrofitting existing buildings, constructing new green buildings, investing in the growth of electric mobility vehicles and infrastructure, and installing battery storage for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. Since becoming fully operational in 2021, AGG, a fund backing early stage businesses taking climate action in Africa, has provided financing to several pan-African clean energy platforms, including Solarise Africa and BURN Manufacturing, to accelerate access to clean energy and cooking solutions for millions of Africans. Other notable investments include Camusat's AktivCo, a telecoms Energy Services Company (ESCO) that is expanding clean energy solutions for telecoms infrastructure in #BurkinaFaso, #Cameroon, #Chad, #CôtedIvoire, #Nigeria and #Senegal; M-KOPA, an asset financing platform that provides underbanked customers in Africa access to essential products including solar lighting, televisions, fridges, smartphones and financial service; and Ampersand Energy, which is scaling electric motorbikes and charging infrastructure across #Rwanda and #Kenya. #ghgreduction #africanbusiness #greenenergy #sustainabledevelopmnet Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eQK35uG5

E3 Capital is pleased to announce an investment in Wattnow, a #climatetech #startup specialising in #IoT-based smart energy management systems. Founded in 2018 by Issam Smaali in #Tunisia, Wattnow leverages AI and real-time data analytics to optimise energy consumption for businesses, reducing costs and carbon footprints, and helping their clients move towards a more sustainable future. The funding will support Wattnow's expansion into new markets beyond Tunisia. The round was led by Lateral Frontiers VC with participation from 216 Capital Ventures, Outlierz Ventures, Satgana and Octerra Capital and a group of strategic angel investors, including InstaDeep founder Karim Beguir and Guillaume Amblard. #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #climatechange #lowcarbon #inclusivegrowth #sdgs #cleanenergy #smartenergy #tunisia #tunisianstartups #techhubs #africanentrepreneurs https://lnkd.in/epvQ7-GF

The ALCB Fund has successfully completed a USD 20 million bilateral loan facility with FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank. This is the second investment of FMO following an initial investment of USD 10 million in 2017. 50% of proceeds have been earmarked for local currency investments to be deployed across the Least Developed Countries (#LDCs). Brock Hoback, Fund Lead of the ALCB Fund, said: “since inception, the ALCB Fund has invested over USD 370 million across 18 African countries, with a co-investment multiple of 9.5x. This has only been possible through the continued support of our development partners, including FMO. The ALCB Fund is managed by Cygnum Capital. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4kzk_Uh

In a significant move to support agricultural financing in Côte d’Ivoire, The Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (AATIF) has partnered with NSIA Banque Cote d'Ivoire to enable NSIA to expand its operations within the agricultural sector. AATIF’s investment has not only fuelled financial growth but also promoted a cultural shift towards sustainability at NSIA. Moreover, through its clients, the bank indirectly supported a vast number of workers and farmers, including cooperatives aggregating thousands of member producers. Cygnum Capital acts as Investment Adviser to the AATIF.

The ALCB Fund has concluded a TZS 27.2 billion (USD 10 million) investment in a senior unsecured bond issued by NBC Tanzania. The proceeds of the bond will facilitate loans to #MSMEs in #Tanzania and enable NBC to further expand its financial services to businesses and individuals throughout the country. The Fund’s investment in NBC continues its track record of supporting African financial institutions through the development of local currency bond markets, helping to promote long-term financial resilience in African economies. The investment was hedged in collaboration with TCX, through its EU Market Creation Pricing Facility. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eCpSwZKr

Cygnum Capital, through the FEI Off-Grid Energy Access Fund Technical Assistance Facility, is proud to collaborate with Triplejump via the Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF) Technical Assistance Facility to support the UNSW and SolarAid in producing the report, "State of Repair in the Off-grid Solar Sector." This initiative is a vital step in advancing sustainable solutions for solar repair in the off-grid energy space. Alix Graham, John Keane, Kevin Wafula, Morris Maina, Kia Muukkonen, Jamie McCloskey #OffGridEnergy #SolarRepair #Sustainability #sustainabledevelopment

One of our team members, Fola Pedro, FCCA was invited by Invest Salone to join a panel discussion at the #SierraLeone Investment Summit at AFSIC - Investing in Africa to discuss the ALCB Fund’s investment in the LAPO Sierra Leone bond. The session offered valuable insights into investing in Sierra Leone and how partnerships with local actors, international investors and development partners are driving and supporting economic growth in Sierra Leone. It was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned and the impact these investments can have on underserved communities. #afsic #africanbusiness #developmentfinance #inclusivegrowth #sustainabledevelopment #africaninvestment #capitalmarkets

The Facility for Energy Inclusion signed agreements to provide USD 10 million senior debt to Cicada Solar, a leading provider of solar and solar hybrid solutions in #Zimbabwe. Demonstrating the Fund’s capability to invest in those frontier markets with limited access to long-term infrastructure financing, this transaction will enable the company to continue to grow its business providing renewable energy solutions and vendor financing for credible businesses. FEI was advised by Burges Salmon LLP, AFRY and IBIS Consulting.    #SDG7 #renewableenergy #cicadasolar #cygnumcapital #africanenergy #zimbabwe #sustainabledevelopment #africanbusiness #sustainablefuture   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eBGdaset