Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has raised a record US$524 million equivalent dual-currency Samurai loan, marking its largest facility in Japan and highlighting the continent’s growing influence in Asian capital markets.
The three-year syndicated facility, comprising US$505 million and JPY 3 billion, was heavily oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor confidence in AFC’s credit strength and Africa’s infrastructure investment potential.
The transaction follows a series of strategic milestones, including AFC’s 2019 Samurai debut, the 2023 guarantee of Egypt’s JPY 75 billion Samurai Bond, and the award of an A+ (Stable) rating by the Japan Credit Rating Agency.
“This landmark transaction strengthens our funding base and broadens our global investor reach as we continue mobilising capital to bridge Africa’s infrastructure deficit,” said Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC.
The facility was arranged by long-standing partners Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, and SMBC Bank International, and attracted several first-time Japanese and Asian lenders, including Bank of Taiwan, China Construction Bank, First Commercial Bank, and The Chiba Bank.
Proceeds will fund general corporate purposes, supporting AFC’s mission to drive sustainable development through transformative infrastructure projects across Africa.
Over the past decade, AFC has raised more than US$1.3 billion in Asian markets, solidifying its position as a leading African infrastructure financier.
