Africa50 Infrastructure Investment Platform

Africa50 is an infrastructure investment platform that contributes to Africa's growth by developing and investing in bankable projects, catalyzing public sector capital, and mobilizing private sector funding, with differentiated financial returns and impact. Africa50 focuses on medium to large scale infrastructure projects that have a significant development impact while offering an appropriate return to investors. It not only invests in fully developed projects, but also accelerates the provision of infrastructure by supporting project development in its early stages. By bringing project development and financing together in one institution, Africa50 can provide support at every stage of the project cycle. Its operations are carried out through two business lines: Project Development The primary objective of Africa50 Project Development is to increase the number of investment-ready, "bankable" infrastructure projects. In addition to providing financing at earlier stages of projects, Africa50’s staff actively contributes to project development, engaging with stakeholders along the deal cycle, with a particular focus on mobilizing political support. It overcomes obstacles to moving projects to financial close and mitigates risk by innovative structuring and financial appraisal. Aside from providing financing and guarantees, project cycle activities can include doing feasibility studies, obtaining permits and approval for land acquisition, and negotiating contracts. Africa50 Project Development typically takes significant minority stakes of $2-10 million in projects or platforms, playing an active role alongside the main sponsor and partnering with other developers when beneficial. With a focus on remaining flexible and understanding of African realities, it balances profitability and development impact, targeting a modest return on investment on a portfolio basis to ensure sustainability. Project Finance Sourcing projects through Africa50 Project Development and other partners, Africa50 Project Finance engages stakeholders post financial close. Following a private equity model, it provides primarily equity and quasi equity with flexible exit options, while accessing preferential debt from the AfDB and DFIs. It typically takes significant minority stakes of over $20 million, focusing on profitability as well as development impact, and playing an active role regardless of the type of investment. Returns are differentiated based on risk, impact and location. Africa50 Project Finance may also invest in and sponsor private sector funds to mobilize institutional investor capital.