MON, MAY 7 2018-theG&BJournal-Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure multilateral development finance institution, last weekend announced its 2017 financial year results.
The highlights include a US$109.2 million for the year in Total Comprehensive Income, US$100.3 million in Net Profit for the Year, U$4.2 billion Total Assets – 21% year on year growth in balance sheet , US$1.5 billion Total Equity , US$142.7 million in Net Interest Income up 21% year-on-year , US$29.7 million in fees, commissions, dividend and other Income, up 36%, All time low cost-to-income ratio of 19% and US$1.5 billion liquidity position.
During the period, three new member states, Kenya, Zambia, Benin, joined the Corporation with Malawi joining in 2018. AFC now has 18 Member States.
It also attracted new Equity investors- one Sovereign Investor (Ghana) in 2017, with African Reinsurance Corporation becoming the first multilateral institution investor in January 2018.
It also inaugurated two ports built in record time by Gabon Special Economic Zone, an AFC investee company. The mineral and general-purpose port, at Owendo, will enable the diversification of the Gabonese economy.
During the year, it closed the Anergi transaction, a joint venture with Harith General Partners creating a power company with a 1,786MW gross energy generation capacity that will supply reliable energy to up to 30 million people in 5 countries as well as led an international consortium to invest US$205 million in Bel-Air bauxite mining in Guinea-Conakry, one of the largest foreign investments in the country since the 2014 Ebola crisis.
It became the first African multilateral finance institution to issue a Sukuk bond – the highest rated by an African supranational entity and raised US$500m 7-year Eurobond that was 5 times oversubscribed.
Andrew Alli, President and CEO, AFC commented on the results: “2017 has seen a robust performance in the face of challenging conditions. Despite a year marked by fiscal challenges, fewer bankable projects, and a market-wide reduction in terms of investment, AFC delivered strong underlying results, as the above numbers show.
“Operationally, AFC also maintained its momentum, welcoming Kenya, Zambia and Benin as new member states, pioneering innovative funding instruments such as our oversubscribed Sukuk, and continuing to enable numerous successful infrastructure projects that will transform the economies we invest in.
“AFC marked its tenth anniversary in 2017, coinciding with my last year as President and CEO. I am proud to report that over the last decade, AFC has evolved from a start-up to a powerful force on the continent that is at the forefront of addressing Africa’s infrastructure deficit. We have demonstrated that Africa Infrastructure is a viable asset class and that investors can contribute to long- term sustainable growth of the continent in a way that generates strong returns.
“It has been a great privilege to lead a team that is driven by this purpose. In its first decade, AFC has grown profit from US$4.4 million to US$100.3 million an approximate 20-fold increase, paid aggregate dividends of US$304.4 million to its shareholders and elevated the Corporation to the second-best rated lending institution in Africa. With the balance sheet and track record in place to deliver the infrastructure financing that will help Africa to fulfil its potential, AFC is well placed for its next decade of growth, to the benefit for all its stakeholders.” –Distributed by Africa Media Agency
