By Kemo Cham
The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it has raised $3 billion in a three-year bond to help alleviate the potential economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on livelihoods and economies of African countries.
The “Fight Covid-19 Social Bond” garnered interest from central banks and official institutions, bank treasuries, and asset managers including Socially Responsible Investors, with bids exceeding $4.6 billion,” a statement from the Bank, released via the African Press Organization, said.
The bond was allocated to central banks and institutions in Europe (37%), Americas (36%), Asia (17%) Africa (8%,) and Middle-East (1%).
The initiative is described as the largest US dollar denominated Social bond transaction to date in capital markets, and the the Bank says it will pay an interest rate of 0.75%.
The move is part of AfDB’s efforts to provide flexible responses aimed at lessening the severe economic and social impact of this pandemic on its regional member countries and private sector on the continent.
“These are critical times for Africa as it addresses the challenges resulting from the Coronavirus. The African Development Bank is taking bold measures to support African countries. This $3 billion Covid-19 bond issuance is the first part of our comprehensive response that will soon be announced. This is indeed the largest social bond transaction to date in capital markets. We are here for Africa, and we will provide significant rapid support for countries,” said Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group.
The order book for this record-breaking bond highlights the scale of investor support, which the African Development Bank enjoys, said the arrangers.
“As the Covid-19 outbreak is dangerously threatening Africa, the African Development Bank lives up to its huge responsibilities and deploys funds to assist and prepare the African population, through the financing of access to health and to all other essential goods, services and infrastructure,” said Tanguy Claquin, Head of Sustainable Banking, Crédit Agricole CIB.
The Coronavirus pandemic started in China and has since spread to over 150 countries worldwide. The virus was slow to arrive in Africa, since it did it has been spreading rapidly, with nearly 3,000 people across 45 countries on the continent said to have been infected. Most of these countries were already struggling with fragile health systems.
It is estimated that the continent will require many billions of dollars to cushion the impact of the disease as many countries scrambled contingency measures, including commercial lockdowns in desperate efforts to contain it.
Globally, factories have been closed and workers sent home, disrupting supply chains, trade, travel, and driving many economies toward recession.
Commenting on the landmark transaction, George Sager, Executive Director, SSA Syndicate, Goldman Sachs, said: “In a time of unprecedented market volatility, the African Development Bank has been able to brave the capital markets in order to secure invaluable funding to help the efforts of the African continent's fight against Covid-19. Not only that, but in the process, delivering their largest ever USD benchmark. A truly remarkable outcome both in terms of its purpose but also in terms of a USD financing”.
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