Two groundbreaking projects supported by the African Development Bank Group have been recognized with top honors at the prestigious 2025 Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards. The awards, held annually, celebrate Africa’s most innovative and transformative financial deals, emphasizing exemplary execution, effective mobilization of new liquidity pools, and innovative deal structuring.
The first accolade, the Sovereign Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year, was awarded to Senegal for its €500 million sustainable term loan facility. This landmark transaction marked Senegal's debut on the international sustainable finance market, announced in March 2024. The African Development Bank played a crucial role as a financial advisor and provided a partial credit guarantee, which was instrumental in securing favorable borrowing terms and attracting a diverse range of investors. This initiative underscores Senegal's commitment to financing critical sustainable development projects, focusing on climate resilience, renewable energy, and social infrastructure.
Rwanda's €200 million ESG loan, awarded the ESG Loan Deal of the Year, was another highlight. Secured in April 2024 with a partial credit guarantee from the African Development Fund, this financing supports Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation. The strategy emphasizes green urbanization, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and infrastructure in health and education. The African Development Bank served as the initial mandated lead arranger, showcasing Rwanda's growing appeal in global markets for sustainable investment opportunities, while enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.
Ahmed Attout, Director for Financial Sector Development at the Bank Group, remarked, “These awards underscore the Bank's steadfast commitment to fostering competitive and sustainable financing solutions. By tailoring partial credit guarantees to the specific needs of member countries, Senegal and Rwanda now have access to competitive international capital, enabling them to mobilize long-term funding from international commercial banks for green and social initiatives for the first time.”
Max Magor N’diaye, Senior Director for Syndication, Co-financing client solutions, and the Africa Investment Forum, added, “The awards shine a spotlight on these innovative transactions, marking a game-changing benchmark for leveraging sustainable financing to drive transformative and social progress. They not only benefit communities but also pave the way for a resilient and prosperous future.”
The Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa conference, held at the Cape Town International Convention Center, is a key event for Africa’s capital markets. It brings together public and private sectors, government officials, financial institutions, investors, and industry experts for dialogue and collaboration.
