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Africa’s Record Private Investment in infrastructure in 2020 sends strong signal

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2 years ago

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African Development Bank

The online event was held in the run-up to the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD, which takes place in Tunisia from 27-28 August 2022

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, August 27, 2022/APO Group/ — 

Africa received its highest proportion of private sector investment in infrastructure in 2020, sending an important signal to governments and investors.

African Development Bank Vice President for the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Solomon Quaynor, underlined this point during a webinar organized by the African Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on 24 August. The online event was held in the run-up to the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD, which takes place in Tunisia from 27-28 August 2022.

Quaynor said the greater private sector investment came as most African governments contended with the Covid-19 pandemic, limited fiscal space and high debt-to-GDP ratios. “Private sector investment into Africa’s infrastructure rose to $19 billion in 2020, representing 23%, the highest since 2016. This counter-cyclical role played by the private sector shows the importance of its growing role in infrastructure financing in Africa,” he said in remarks at the close of the webinar, themed Private Sector Infrastructure Development Opportunities in Africa.

In opening remarks, Keichiro Nakazawa, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, said the discussion would focus on growth prospects for African countries and the role of the private sector in providing high-quality, sustainable infrastructure.

The panelists were Rami Ghandour (Metito), Tshepidi Moremong (Africa 50), Vuyo Hlompho Ntoi (African Infrastructure Investment Managers) and Yoshio Kushiya (Sumitomo Corporation). They were joined by representatives of leading development finance institutions – JICA’s Shohei Hara, Mike Salawou from the African Development Bank, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development director, Sue Barrett.

The panelists shared perspectives, success stories and the challenges they faced to plug Africa’s estimated $67-107 billion annual infrastructure gap. Vivek Mittal, CEO of the Africa Infrastructure Development Association, moderated the discussion.

Mittal noted that four African countries – Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria – accounted for the majority of private sector investment interest over the past two years. Mittal said digital activity in transportation and electricity received the highest interest. Urban sanitation – a key infrastructure building block – lagged.

“Projects take too long – 8-10 years – in Africa,” Mittal said, adding that slow development of local talent was another drawback.

This counter-cyclical role played by the private sector shows the importance of its growing role in infrastructure financing in Africa

According to Moremong, Africa 50’s robust pipeline in its priority sectors – energy, transportation, ports, bridges, ICT, health and education – is ample proof that the continent has bankable projects. The group’s experienced investment team works closely with development finance institutions and commercial banks, to ensure that their bankable projects continued.

She gave the example of Kigali Innovation City – a technology village that has broken the mould in terms of innovation. Rwanda, an agriculture-based economy, sees diversification of its sectors as critical.

“The success of this project is due to political will and capacity from both sponsors – Rwanda’s Development Board – and investors,” Moremong said. She said the parties had robust discussions on the allocation of risk, one of the major investment hurdles. Other general obstacles cited include limited deal pipelines, weak feasibility studies, technical studies and business plans, and delays in obtaining licenses.

The African Development Bank, the continent’s leading financier of infrastructure, has concluded a major public-private project in Kenya, the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau road PPP, with an investment of $200 million. “We would like to partner with JICA to do more,” Salawou said, noting that the Bank was involved in a joint port in Morocco with the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

Shohei Hara said JICA’s long history working with governments would need to give way to a mind shift as they looked to greater participation in private sector-financed infrastructure. “Governments have to change their mindsets, as well as ourselves,” he said.

He also noted the role of multilateral partners such as the African Development Bank in mitigating risks such as foreign exchange, political, regulatory, policy and payment obligations.

During a recent trip to South Africa, Quaynor said he met with several key Japanese private sector companies with regional headquarters in Johannesburg, involved in multiple infrastructure sectors. 

“Given the maturity of Japanese markets, these companies are strategically expanding globally but with clear risk-adjusted return expectations,” he said. “It’s good to see that our focus has been on solutions.”

Quaynor also highlighted the Africa Green Infrastructure Alliance, led by the African Development Bank, Africa50 and several global and African partners, including the African Union Commission and African Union Development Agency ( AUDA-NEPAD), Rockefeller Foundation, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Agence française de développement and the African Sovereign Investors Forum. The Alliance is seeking to develop green and smart infrastructure with scale and speed in energy, transport, water and sanitation, ICT, healthcare, and urban and rural infrastructure.

“We encourage JICA and JBIC to consider supporting this facility with concessional funds and grants. We also encourage Japanese private sector companies to contribute patient commercial capital to ensure that green infrastructure projects of scale are developed with speed in Africa,” Quaynor said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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African Energy Week (AEW) 2024 to Navigate the Future of Oil & Gas Financing Amid Energy Transition

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15 hours ago

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September 9, 2024

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The African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy conference will gather industry leaders to explore oil and gas financing tools and strategies in the age of the energy transition

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 9, 2024/APO Group/ — 

As the global energy landscape shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable sources, Africa’s oil and gas sector faces challenges in securing financing for upstream projects. Nearly $3 billion was mobilized toward African energy projects in 2023 – with a significant portion directed towards natural gas – according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). As global markets evolve, African financing strategies must adapt to support both economic growth and long-term sustainability.

The Financing Upstream Oil & Gas in the Age of Transition session at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy will explore how African oil and gas projects are securing financing in a rapidly changing landscape. The session will unpack evolving regulatory frameworks, innovative financing models and the balance between traditional fossil fuel and renewable energy investments. Moderated by Laura Sima, Director of S&P Global Commodity Insights, the panel will feature Trafigura Group Head of Upstream Finance Matthieu Milandri; Africa Finance Corporation Vice President Taiwo Okwor; and Project & Export Finance Africa Managing Director & Regional Head Fathima Hussain.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

To address shifting investment priorities, a dedicated Africa Energy Bank (AEB) has been launched by the African Petroleum Producers Organization and African Export-Import Bank. To be based in Abuja, the AEB aims to bridge Africa’s infrastructure funding gap and accelerate the development of energy projects across the continent. As a supranational institution, the AEB will provide critical funds for emerging oil and gas projects across Africa, supporting the sector amid the global energy transition, and is currently open for signature by prospective member states.

African natural gas projects have been a leading destination for foreign investment, as gas is considered a cleaner alternative and even labeled as “green energy” in the EU. Projects like Senegal and Mauritania’s Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG – led by bp and Kosmos Energy – have secured $4.8 billion in investment from a mix of equity from the IOCs and debt financing supported by multilateral banks. Blended finance – combining both public and private sector capital – has emerged as a critical solution to mobilizing large-scale financing in Africa’s energy sector. The TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG project represents a total post-FID investment of $20 billion, of which $14.9 billion comes from senior debt financing including a blend of loans from export credit agencies, multilateral finance agencies like the International Finance Corporation and the AfDB, and commercial banks.

Significant capital is also flowing to high-potential hydrocarbon basins with strong exploration prospects. In Namibia, multinationals TotalEnergies and Shell are continuing to explore the deepwater Orange Basin, with TotalEnergies allocating 30% of its one-billion-dollar exploration budget to the country in 2024 alone. Namibia’s government has been active in courting global financiers, emphasizing the need for sustainable energy development alongside oil and gas exploration and production. In Angola, TotalEnergies, Petronas and state-owned Sonangol secured a $6-billion FID for the Kaminho deepwater project in Block 20 that will develop the Cameia and Golfinho ultra-deepwater fields. The project will employ an all-electric FPSO unit, designed to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate routine flaring. Independent upstream company Invictus Energy also recently secured $10 million from local institutional investors for its Cabora Bassa project in Zimbabwe to develop the country’s first major oil and gas field.

The upcoming finance session will also position public-private partnerships as a mechanism for financing large-scale energy infrastructure projects, as well as de-risking investments. The Republic of Congo has advanced the development of its Banga Kayo block through an amended PSC with China’s Wing Wah Oil Company, enabling the commercialization of the block’s gas resources. In Nigeria, the $2.6-billion Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline is being financed through both public and private funds, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company as the main financier and international lenders including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Bank of China involved. Nigeria’s Federal Government has provided a sovereign guarantee covering 85% of the project’s costs, securing crucial financing and building investor confidence.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) Completes Pilot Implementation of Islamic Finance Strategic Mapping Framework in Kazakhstan

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21 hours ago

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September 9, 2024

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This comprehensive assessment, conducted in collaboration with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), aimed to identify key opportunities and challenges within the country’s Islamic finance sector

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 8, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://ISDBInstitute.org/) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its flagship Islamic Finance Strategic Mapping Framework (IF-MAP, formerly IF-CAF) (https://apo-opa.co/4cXPwti) pilot exercise in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This comprehensive assessment, conducted in collaboration with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), aimed to identify key opportunities and challenges within the country’s Islamic finance sector.

The pilot initiative of IF-MAP was launched (https://apo-opa.co/3MyooGO) in June 2023, and involved extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, and industry experts. The resulting tailored policy recommendations report, which outlines the sector’s progress and provides recommendations for future development, has been submitted to the AIFC.

AIFC’s commitment to promoting Islamic finance is evident through favorable conditions offered to Islamic financial companies to operate in both the retail and corporate sectors

As one of the key outcomes of the exercise, IsDBI and AIFC jointly developed the Kazakhstan Islamic Finance Country Report 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/3B4GwFv) which H.E. the Governor of AIFC, H.E. Mr. Renat Bekturov, launched on 6 September during the Astana Finance Days. The report highlights the immense potential of Islamic finance in supporting Kazakhstan’s economic growth and development.

In his welcome address, H.E. Mr. Renat Bekturov noted: “This report not only provides a comprehensive overview of the Islamic finance industry but also highlights our shared vision for the future.  AIFC’s commitment to promoting Islamic finance is evident through favorable conditions offered to Islamic financial companies to operate in both the retail and corporate sectors. The report is an invaluable guide for investors, policymakers, and stakeholders.”

Commenting on the successful completion of the pilot exercise, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, stated, “We are delighted to have collaborated with the AIFC on this important initiative. The Kazakhstan Islamic Finance Country Report offers a valuable analysis of the sector’s current state and future prospects. We believe that the report, together with the IF-MAP policy recommendations submitted to the AIFC, will be instrumental in guiding policymakers, investors, and financial institutions as they work to harness the full potential of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan.”

The IsDB Institute remains committed to supporting the growth and development of the Islamic finance industry worldwide. Through its research, training, and capacity-building programs, the Institute seeks to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable financial system.

The Kazakhstan Islamic Finance Country Report 2024 is accessible on IsDBI website here: https://apo-opa.co/4ge7jQ1

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

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ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Reinforces Commitment to Digital India, Invests US$3.2 billion to add 550MW Data Centre Capacity

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21 hours ago

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September 9, 2024

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 September 2024 – ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world’s fastest-growing data centre colocation services provider headquartered in Singapore, today announced a significant investment of US$3.2 billion (INR 26,000 crores) to expand its data centre capacity in India by a substantial 550MW, nearly tripling the company’s IT load capacity to meet the demands of India’s thriving digital economy, over the next 5-6 years.

This strategic investment reflects STT GDC’s confidence in India and the growth of its digital economy, as well as aligning with the burgeoning demand for digital infrastructure, driven by the surge in data consumption, cloud computing, digital transformation, and growing adoption of AI applications. This investment also further solidifies our market leadership in India, where we already command about 28% of market share by revenue.

STT GDC India is majority-owned by STT GDC in partnership with Tata Communications Ltd, which holds a minority stake in the company. STT GDC India’s portfolio consists of 28 data centres across 10 cities throughout India. Today, its data centre portfolio has a total combined capacity of over 318MW of IT load, with a well-diversified portfolio of about 1,000 enterprise customers that include many Fortune 500 companies. More recently, STT GDC India was recognised as a Great Place to Work for the fifth consecutive year, as well as one of the Best Places to Work in Asia.

“As we celebrate STT GDC’s 10th anniversary this year, embarking on this ambitious expansion is a sign of our confidence in Digital India and the future of one of STT GDC’s strategic and fastest growing markets globally. Prime Minister Modi’s vision for Digital India has paved the way for opportunity; today the India digital economy’s growth rate of almost three times overall GDP growth is putting the country on pace to achieve a US$1 trillion digital economy by 2027-20281. At STT GDC, we want to play an active role in co-investing and contributing to India’s long-term success by investing in the foundational digital infrastructure that will help further accelerate Digital India. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and are confident in our ability to contribute significantly to India’s digital transformation,” said Bruno Lopez, President and Group Chief Executive Officer, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres.

STT GDC, along with several other Singapore business leaders, participated in a Business Roundtable with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by the Singapore Business Federation on 5 September 2024.

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1India digital economy: India to be $1 trillion digital economy by FY28: IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar – The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

About ST Telemedia Global Data Centres
ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) is one of the fastest-growing data centre providers with a global platform serving as a cornerstone of the digital ecosystem that helps the world to connect. Powering a sustainable digital future, STT GDC operates across Singapore, the UK, Germany, India, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, providing businesses an exceptional foundation that is built for their growth anywhere. For more information, visit https://www.sttelemediagdc.com/.

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