The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and institutional investors such as Academy Securities, Africa50, and Newmarket, has announced the launch of a $2 billion synthetic securitization initiative. This groundbreaking effort aims to unlock critical capital to advance Africa’s development priorities, focusing on areas like climate finance, infrastructure, and financial intermediation. The announcement was made during the 2024 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days in Rabat, Morocco.

This initiative, inspired by the success of AfDB’s inaugural $1 billion Room to Run program in 2018, represents a step forward in mobilizing private capital to address Africa’s financing gaps. Designed as a revolving and evergreen platform, it will de-risk the balance sheets of participating development finance institutions (DFIs) and enhance their capacity to fund impactful projects.

The Goals and Mechanics of the Initiative

The synthetic securitization platform will pool assets worth $1.5-2 billion, diversified across sectors and regions, with a mezzanine tranche credit risk transferred to private investors. Senior tranche risks will remain with the originating institutions, enabling both AfDB and DBSA to retain control over the securitized assets while unlocking capital for new projects. By focusing on regulatory capital relief and attractive returns for private investors, the platform aims to mobilize significant financing from institutional investors.

AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina emphasized that innovative financing mechanisms are critical to overcoming Africa’s development challenges, including infrastructure deficits and climate change. He highlighted that multilateral development banks and the private sector must work as a cohesive system to address these pressing issues effectively.

Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Financing Gap

Africa faces an annual infrastructure financing gap of $68-108 billion, with total needs estimated at $170 billion per year. This shortfall affects key projects, including transportation corridors, energy initiatives, and urban infrastructure, which are essential for the continent’s economic growth and regional integration. The AfDB has made significant contributions, financing over $44 billion in infrastructure projects over the last seven years, but the magnitude of the challenge demands greater private sector involvement.

Examples of transformative infrastructure investments include the Nacala Corridor, which links Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia, and the Lagos-Abidjan highway corridor, a project projected to drive economic integration in West Africa. Leveraging private capital to fund such projects is crucial to meeting Africa’s infrastructure and sustainable development goals.

Role of the Africa Investment Forum

The AIF serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders. This year’s event focused on accelerating financial close for development projects and showcased innovative financing solutions like the synthetic securitization platform. Participants included African leaders, global investors, and development finance experts who emphasized the importance of urbanization, economic diversification, and sustainable growth strategies.

In addition to infrastructure, the AIF highlighted urban development as a key driver of economic growth. A report presented during the forum revealed that Africa’s urban population is expected to triple by 2050, necessitating investments of $140 billion annually in cities. Improving fiscal autonomy, creditworthiness, and revenue flows for municipalities were identified as critical strategies for enhancing urban infrastructure.

Collaboration and Leadership

DBSA CEO Boitumelo Mosako stressed the importance of DFIs, asset managers, and institutional investors working collaboratively to scale financing for Africa’s growth. The involvement of institutional players like Africa50 and Newmarket underscores the potential of public-private partnerships to unlock transformative capital flows.

Molly Whitehouse of Newmarket, a key participant in the Room to Run program, noted that the new securitization platform builds on past successes and aims to address Africa’s infrastructure and sustainable development challenges. Similarly, Africa50 CEO Alain Ebobissé highlighted the initiative’s role in freeing up capital to bridge the continent’s infrastructure gap and drive long-term growth.

The Path Forward

Innovative financing models like the synthetic securitization platform exemplify how multilateral institutions can leverage private capital to tackle development challenges. These mechanisms not only provide financial relief to DFIs but also create opportunities for institutional investors to support impactful projects aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

While the initiative is a significant step forward, stakeholders acknowledge that more efforts are needed to address Africa’s vast development needs. Scaling up project preparation, enhancing risk-adjusted returns, and creating bankable pipelines are essential for attracting sustained private investment.

Conclusion

The collaboration between AfDB, DBSA, and institutional investors represents a landmark moment in African development finance. By leveraging synthetic securitization and innovative partnerships, the initiative aims to unlock new sources of funding for high-impact projects across the continent. As Africa continues to face challenges such as infrastructure deficits, urbanization, and climate change, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future.

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photo source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

10th December, 2024