Africa in Review by the Numbers (January 2022)

$12 million

Value of deals closed via opportunities on our Digital Engagement platform. AfricInvest Private Credit and TDB both signed debt deals originated via their DealRooms, validating the efficacy of digital deal-making. Momentum continues to grow on the platform as we head into 2022.

8,000

Companies profiled for Asoko clients though our Bespoke Research service. Africa-focused businesses, investors and multilateral used our corporate data and insights to support their market entry plans, map participants along their supply chains, long-list investment targets and facilitate bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

45%

Proportion of submissions to the Digital Engagement platform acted on by partners. The average comprises deal opportunities fed into investor pipelines as well as companies accessing visibility opportunities, KYC and business development support. Within the investment arena, our digitally enabled origination has a higher success rate than that achieved offline.

55%

Stake in Africa’s largest data centre services provider, Teraco, acquired by Digital Realty Trust in a deal has been valued at about $3.5 billion. The US firm, which operates 280 data centres worldwide, aims to to tap into the fast growth in Africa through the South African provider, which serves more than 600 clients, including global internet providers.
(Reuters)

$47 million

Grant approved by Africa Development Bank Group to boost Mozambique's Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone. This financing will help improve agricultural productivity and agribusiness in the Niassa Province, in line with the economic diversification agenda of the national development plan 2015-35.
(Africa Business)

3,000 tonnes

Initial daily capacity of the Naitiri Sugar Company, owned by the Rai Group in Kenya, when it starts production in Q1 this year. Capacity at the Bungoma-based plant is expected to ultimately double to 6,000 tonnes per day, helping to reduce reliance Kenya's on imports and increase competition for raw cane.
(Business Daily)

$36 million

First close of Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, a new fund to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) growth in Africa. German development bank KfW backed the fund, which will invest hybrid capital and subordinated debt instruments into inclusive financial institutions on a pan-African basis.
(Africa Global Funds)

600 KWp

Generation capacity of a new mini-grid solar project inaugurated in Uganda, making it the most advanced mini-grid in the continent. This joint project between ENGIE Energy Access and Equatorial Power Ltd will connect more than 3000 households and 700 businesses to reliable electricity, impacting more than 15,000 people.
(CEO Business Africa)

2nd

Kenya joins South Africa as the only two countries in Africa to own a salvage boat after the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) acquired a $16.65 million multipurpose salvage tugboat for use at Mombasa Port. The investment supports the government's ambition to boost port efficiency and drive trade through the country.
(The East African)

$100 million

Investment by Safaricom in a new data centre in Addis Ababa. The prefabricated facility will support the telco's service rollout after winning the licence to become Ethiopia's second telecoms operator.
(CEO Business Africa)

6

Solar plants put out to tender by Botswana Power Corporation, inviting independent power producers to accelerate the country's deployment of renewable resources via public-private partnerships.
(Afrik21)

25%

Reduction of mobile money charges offered by Ghana's telcos to offset the impact of the e-levy. The tax on digital transactions will be put before Parliament this month as a way to boost government revenues as more economic activity moves online.
(Ghana Web)