OPEC Fund supports critical infrastructure in Africa with $50m loan to Africa Finance Corporation
February 9, 2023: The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have signed a US$50 million loan agreement to finance the development of infrastructure critical to economic growth and job creation across the continent.
The proceeds of the 10-year loan will be used to improve connectivity, transport, logistics, trade and to boost access to energy across the African continent. The loan doubles the OPEC Fund’s commitment to AFC following an initial US$50 million 10-year loan provided in January 2021, and builds on collaboration initiated through a cooperation agreement in 2017. The loan is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 - Innovation and infrastructure, and SDG 17 – Partnerships.
“Africa continues to be a key region for the OPEC Fund, with more than 45 percent of our aggregate financing dedicated to the continent,” said OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa. “Sustainable infrastructure development is key to unlock Africa’s vast potential and enable it to fully utilize its resources. Working with local partners on the ground such as AFC helps to deepen our impact and support Africa’s development agenda.”
AFC President & Chief Executive Officer Samaila Zubairu said: “AFC has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the OPEC Fund and we are delighted to collaborate again to support the work we do in developing critical infrastructure in Africa. Developed and developing countries alike are battling the chronic challenges brought on by a wave of global shocks, and these challenges will only be solved by working together through partnership and engagement between the world’s leading finance institutions.”
Africa’s economic growth has been slowed by global supply chain disruptions and rising costs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, further widening the continent’s infrastructure funding gap. The collaboration between the OPEC Fund and AFC is targeted at increasing access to long-term sustainable finance for infrastructure projects.
AFC is a multilateral financial institution with 39 member countries, established to provide financing and private sector-driven solutions for infrastructure in key sectors including power, transport, heavy industries, telecommunications, and natural resources. To date, AFC has invested over US$11 billion in projects across 36 African countries.
About the OPEC Fund
The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$23 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of US$190 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA, Outlook Positive by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.
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. Fifteen 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 invested over US$11 billion in 36 countries across Africa since its inception.
Media Inquiries:
Basak Pamir
Senior Communications Officer
OPEC Fund for International Development
Phone: +43 151 564174
Email: B.Pamir@opecfund.org
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile : +234 1 279 9654
Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org
Gavin Serkin
New Markets Media & Intelligence
Telephone: +44 20 3478 9710
Email: gserkin@newmarkets.media