Somalia, DRC, Benin and Botswana are now new members of Africa Finance Corporation

NAIROBI, Kenya - Africa Finance Corporation has welcomed the membership of Benin, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.

The accession to membership by Botswana and Somalia advances AFC’s mandate by conferring privileges and diplomatic immunities in line with the Corporation’s multilateral status and provides support for meaningful engagement in these key African economies.

Furthermore, it enables AFC to mobilize global capital to work alongside domestic finance for sustainable and viable infrastructure and industrial development in member states. The continental lender now enjoys member support from three-quarters of African countries, with a total of 40 sovereign members.

Botswana’s Minister of Finance & Economic Development, Peggy Serame, said: "We are pleased to invest in AFC, as the Corporation has demonstrated its commitment as an African entity dedicated to infrastructure growth. We are proud to be a part of this pan-African triumph and looking forward to developing more critical infrastructure in the future."

Dr. Elmi M. Nur, Somalia’s Minister of Finance, commented: "As Somalia continues to rebuild and grow, our membership in the Africa Finance Corporation will play a crucial role in securing the financial support needed to drive our nation's development forward. We look forward to this exciting partnership."

Additionally, the equity investments in AFC by existing members Benin and DRC enhance the Corporation’s pan-African spread of shareholders, which include governments, development finance institutions, and institutional investors.

A stellar record of consistent financial performance combined with a strong risk management framework and a growing and diversified shareholder base is behind AFC’s A3 investment-grade credit rating, which the Corporation leverages optimally to fulfill its mandate to close Africa’s infrastructure and industrial financing gap.

Romuald Wadagni, Benin’s Minister of Economy and Finance, said: “Our investment in the Africa Finance Corporation reaffirms our commitment to addressing Benin's infrastructure and socio-economic challenges with endogenous financing solutions. We are optimistic that this new synergy will catalyze growth and development for our people.”

Nicolas Kazadi, Minister of Finance of the DRC, commented: “We are looking forward to leveraging our relationship with the AFC to sustainably build critical supporting infrastructure that will maximize our resources.”

AFC’s investments in Benin, Botswana, and DRC span the natural resources, transportation & logistics, and industrial sectors, with a combined portfolio size of US$53 million in the three countries. The Corporation is working with the government of Somalia to fund infrastructure and economic development that will optimize the country’s key resources.

“We are always pleased to welcome new African countries as Member States and Shareholders of AFC as it reinforces our growing appeal as the resilient and reliable bridge to a prosperous African future of enhanced value capture and retention,” said the President & CEO of AFC, Samaila Zubairu. “We remain committed to working alongside our member countries to accelerate sustainable development impact in their respective countries by developing and financing infrastructure, natural resources, and industrial assets that will enhance productivity and economic growth.”

GAROWE ONLINE