TANZANIA’S US$1.76 billion loan from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in June last year, has paved the way for the bank to clinch the prestigious ‘Infrastructure Finance Deal of the Year’ award.

In a dazzling display of dominance at the Bonds, Loans and ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2024 in South Africa, the bank swept up not just one, but an impressive six coveted accolades. A clear signal of their unrivaled mastery in the financial world.

A statement released yesterday by Afreximbank and shared to this journalist, highlights the bank's exceptional achievements in financing, promoting, and facilitating trade. The awards also commend the bank for its efforts in promoting sustainable economic growth and development across Africa.

Afreximbank was recognised with ‘Financial Institutions Bond Deal of the Year’ for acting as joint lead manager on the debut US$300 million senior Eurobond issuance by Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), in April 2023, marking the first investment grade-rated commercial bank senior bond out of Africa as well as the first international Eurobond out of Mauritius. 
 
 The award for the Export Credit Agency, Development Finance Institution and International Finance Institution Deal of the Year was presented to the Bank for its US$640-million Samurai loan issued in July 2023 while the Renewable Energy Finance Deal of the Year award went to the Bank for its EUR147-million loan to the Government of Cameroon which was issued on 7 October 2023.
 
 For the Oil and Gas Deal of the Year award, the organisers recognised Afreximbank for its US$1.3-billion loan to Sonangol Finance Limited, issued in August 2023. The final award to the Bank was for being the Financial Institution Debt House of the Year.
 
 Reacting to the awards, Chandi Mwenebungu, Director and Group Treasurer of Afreximbank, said: “These awards represent a recognition of our Bank’s strategic work in Africa’s financial markets and present an opportunity for Afreximbank to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of its clients and partners working to advance the economic development of Africa.”
 
 Mwenebungu noted that the bank had been playing a leading debt arranging role across Africa’s main industry sectors and had been instrumental in promoting the inclusion of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards in financing structures, thereby furthering their application on the continent and attracting capital.
 
 The Bonds, Loans and ESG Capital Markets Africa Conference is the only pan-African debt event bringing together local and international bonds issuers, investors and financial institutions and financial services providers from across the continent.

With participation by more than 1,060 senior borrowers, issuers, regulators, bankers, investors, advisors and government officials from 383 companies and 46 countries, the conference is recognised as the number one business meetings facilitator for Africa's capital markets and is Africa's largest corporate and investment banking event.