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The West African Development Bank “BOAD” leads the way in innovation with landmark record-breaking $500 million public hybrid issuance

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BOAD

This transaction attracted significant and diversified investors driven by the strong credit profile of BOAD and the characteristics of the structure

LOME, Togo, February 10, 2025/APO Group/ –The West African Development Bank “BOAD” (www.BOAD.org/en/) continues to lead in financial innovation with the successful issuance of a $500 million sustainable hybrid bond on the international capital market. This deeply subordinated instrument carries a 30-year maturity with a five-year non-call period, for an equivalent EUR coupon rate of 5.9%. Strong investor confidence drove the bond’s tightening by 37.5 basis points from its initial price offering, resulting in an impressive $1.9 billion order book reached over the day and a final oversubscription ratio of 3.4X.

By mobilizing additional funds, we are strengthening our capacity to finance impactful projects across our member countries, fostering sustainable growth and economic resilience

Prior to this transaction, BOAD had already secured $204 million in private placements with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa “BADEA” and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti “CDP” in December 2023 and August 2024, respectively. Rated Baa3 by Moody’s and recognized with 50% equity content by both Moody’s and Fitch, this inaugural public issuance allows BOAD to outperform its $600 million hybrid bond objective achieving 95% of its Capital Increase objective as part of the Djoliba Strategic Plan. This hybrid bond issuance enables the bank to add additional equity-like capital to its liabilities, bringing its equity-to-assets ratio to 41.7%.

This transaction attracted significant and diversified investors driven by the strong credit profile of BOAD and the characteristics of the structure. In terms of geographical distribution, UK investors represent 44% of the allocation, followed by Switzerland 20%, US 13%, Middle East 3%, Asia 2% and the Rest of Europe 19%. In terms of investor type, Asset Managers represent 69% of the allocation, followed by Hedge Funds 20%, Banks/Private Banks 6% and Pension Funds/Insurance 5%.

The proceeds will be allocated to financing or refinancing eligible Green and Social projects under BOAD’s Sustainability Bond Framework, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to climate action and social progress across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region. This transaction strengthens BOAD’s capitalization and accelerates the objectives of its Djoliba Strategic Plan, further solidifying its role as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and improved living standards in West Africa.

Mr. Serge Ekué, President & Chairman of the Board stated: “This groundbreaking transaction is a testament to investor confidence and underscores the BOAD’s commitment to innovation as a key driver of development. By mobilizing additional funds, we are strengthening our capacity to finance impactful projects across our member countries, fostering sustainable growth and economic resilience. My sincere gratitude to our advisors Rothschild&Co and Galite, and to BNP Paribas, Société Générale, HSBC, JP Morgan and SMBC.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD).

Business

Canada–Africa Financing Forum to Convene Investors and Decision-Makers in Cape Town – May 14, 2026

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Ateau Zola

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships

TORONTO, Canada, April 29, 2026/APO Group/ –The Canada–Africa Chamber of Business (https://CanadaAfrica.ca) will convene investors, financiers, policymakers, and industry leaders in Cape Town on May 14, 2026 for the Canada–Africa Financing Forum—a high-level platform focused on unlocking capital and accelerating deal flow across African markets.

Registration is open (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

This timely Forum comes on the heels of commitments announced by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, deepening Canada–Africa commercial ties and expanding investment partnerships. The program connects leaders from venture capital, private equity, and institutional investors to examine where capital is moving—and where the next opportunities lie—supported by Canadian project partners with proven capacity to deliver on-the-ground.

Delegates will engage directly with finance and investment decision-makers, following the program opening, featuring messages from President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Mark Carney, in addition to high-level Ministerial representation.

This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation

“This Forum is about capital deployment, not just conversation,” said Garreth Bloor, President of the Canada–Africa Chamber of Business. “We are convening investors, institutions, and project leaders who are actively shaping transactions across Africa—and connecting them directly with Canadian partners who are ready to work together.”

The Canada–Africa Financing Forum reflects the Chamber’s role as a privately financed, market-led platform advancing Canada-Africa trade and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events.

Why Attend

  • Direct access to active dealmakers and capital allocators
  • Insights into where capital is being deployed and key players delivering major projects
  • Opportunities to build partnerships across Canada and African markets
  • Participation in a curated, high-level environment focused on execution

Secure Your Place

Space is limited and demand is strong.

Apply to secure your place (http://apo-opa.co/4vXb9oz)

Read More and View the Program (http://apo-opa.co/4vZN6oV)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

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ORUN and 1xBET Partner to Support a Dynamic Creative Africa

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MIR Holding

During the MASA 2026 edition, held from April 11 to 18, 2026, ORUN and 1xBET implemented the We Champion Talent program, an initiative aimed at promoting African talent and advancing the development of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs)

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –As part of the Innovation Village co-organized with MASA at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan from April 14 to 18, ORUN (https://ORUN.Africa) announces the rollout of its partnership with 1xBET to support a creative Africa that is structuring itself, professionalizing, and scaling across the continent.

We aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency

Designed as a space of convergence between heritage, innovation, and knowledge transmission, the Innovation Village features scenography crafted by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses on creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a major institutional highlight on April 17. Its narrative platform is built around three pillars: memory, structure, and transmission. The initiative aims to position cultural and creative industries as an economic driver for the continent.

“The Innovation Village was conceived as an act of construction. By partnering with organizations such as 1xBET, we aim to demonstrate that it is possible to support African talent, narratives, and creative ecosystems over the long term, with ambition and consistency,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

This vision aligns with ORUN’s broader ambition to produce, structure, and internationalize African creative industries through events, content, and strategic partnerships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ORUN, part of African Currency Network (ACN).

 

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MIR Holding Reaffirms Its Commitment to African Creative Industries Alongside ORUN at Marché des Arts du Spectacle Africain d’Abidjan (MASA) 2026

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MIR Holding

More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, April 28, 2026/APO Group/ –On the occasion of MASA 2026, held from April 11 to 18 in Abidjan, MIR Holding (https://MIRHolding.odoo.com) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of African creative industries by partnering with ORUN as part of the Innovation Village, hosted at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan. This presence reflects a clear intention to support the scaling of cultural and creative industries so they can fully contribute to job creation and value generation across the continent.

 

Co-organized by ORUN and MASA, the Innovation Village brought together over several days scenography designed by Ivorian artisans, a program of panels and masterclasses dedicated to creative industries, an immersive experience produced by Orun Studios, and a key institutional highlight on April 17.

At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains

Built around three pillars — memory, structure, and transmission — the initiative carried a renewed ambition for culture: positioning it as a concrete lever for economic structuring and African projection.

By supporting this initiative, MIR Holding aligns with a broader dynamic aimed at strengthening connections between creation, entrepreneurship, content, youth, and growth ecosystems. More than event support, this partnership reflects a commitment to backing platforms capable of structuring value chains, increasing the visibility of talent, and fostering the emergence of strong African creative infrastructures. MIR Holding stands among the main partners of the Village, alongside Africa Currency Network and other stakeholders engaged in this vision.

“With ORUN, we are not only seeking to make culture visible. We aim to help provide it with a framework, a reach, and a trajectory. What is at stake here is the continent’s ability to better transform its creative energy into sustainable value, real opportunities, and influence,” said Habyba Thiero, CEO of Africa Currency Network and President of ORUN.

Mouhamed Dieng, President of MIR Holding, added: “Supporting Africa’s creative industries is not about backing a secondary sector. It is about investing in one of the continent’s most powerful spaces for storytelling, youth, innovation, and competitiveness. At MIR Holding, we believe that Africa’s future will also be shaped by its ability to structure its narratives, its talent, and its creative value chains.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MIR Holding.

 

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