GuarantCo and AGF provide GreenYellow with a MGA 33 billion (c. EUR 7.1 million) credit guarantee to finance a 20 MW solar plant extension with a 5 MW solar battery storage system

  • Date written
  • January, 2023

GuarantCo, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), and African Guarantee Fund (AGF) have provided GreenYellow, with a credit guarantee of MGA 33 billion (c. EUR 7.1 million) with a nine-year tenor to a syndicate of local banks to finance a 20 MW solar plant extension alongside a 5 MW solar battery storage system in Ambatolampy, Madagascar. Société Générale acted as the main lender. GuarantCo provided a guarantee of MGA 23.6 billion (EUR 5 million) and AGF a guarantee of MGA 9.4 billion (EUR 2 million). This is the second phase of an existing 20 MW solar power plant operation that GuarantCo and AGF helped refinance in 2020.

GuarantCo and AGF provide GreenYellow with a MGA 33 billion (c. EUR 7.1 million) credit guarantee to finance

The project will provide improved electricity access to around 285,000 people supporting SDG 7 and reduce emissions by 34,000 tonnes of CO2 through the displacement of thermal power supporting SDG 13. Only 15 percent of the population have access to electricity with considerable disparity between urban (79 percent) and rural (8 percent) areas.

GuarantCo has been the first company to mobilise local currency from commercial banks for utility scale solar projects in Madagascar. Through demonstration and replication, this is expected to enhance the resilience of the power sector by diversifying away from thermal power, reducing the cost of generation and improving the sustainability of the state-owned electric utility and water company in Madagascar.

This is GuarantCo and AGF’s second transaction with GreenYellow.  In October 2020, GuarantCo provided a MGA 36.9 billion (USD 9.3 million) guarantee and AGF a guarantee of MGA 14.8 billion (c. USD 3.8 million) to refinance the operational 20 MW Ambatolampy solar power plant, the first grid connected and largest solar plant in Madagascar. This 20 MW power / 5 MW battery extension is testimony to the replicability of such projects and the viability of local currency financing for solar plants in Madagascar.

GuarantCo has played an active role in shaping the transaction with its ability to mitigate risks and lower the cost of financing. This has led to additional local capital becoming available through BFV Société Générale Madagasikara and Banque Nationale d’Investissement Madagascar.

Layth Al-Falaki, CEO of GuarantCo, said:

“We are delighted to have closed a second local currency transaction with GreenYellow. Both transactions have helped to crowd in private sector banks to lend to solar power projects and played a major role in building the capacity of these banks to finance clean energy projects that are key for the sustainable development of Madagascar. Most importantly, our guarantees will help provide access to affordable clean energy for people and companies in Madagascar, create local jobs and stimulate wider economic development.” 

Pierre Marouby, CEO of GreenYellow Indian Ocean, said:

“The completion of this transaction demonstrates the commitment of our financial partners and reaffirms their confidence in GreenYellow and our business model. With this new financial achievement, GreenYellow reinforces its strong presence in the Indian Ocean, where we are already the leading producer of photovoltaic energy.”

Jules Ngankam, Group CEO of African Guarantee Fund, said:

“Together with GuarantCo, our initial credit guarantee to Green Yellow has provided access to clean, affordable and reliable energy to households and companies in Madagascar, whilst creating local jobs and stimulating wider economic development.  As the largest solar power plant in Madagascar, Green Yellow will now have even more significant impact in accelerating the country’s green energy transition. Thanks to this second guarantee line which has helped double the capacity of the Ambatolampy plant, AGF is delighted to support Madagascar’s sustainable economic development.”

Zdenek Metelak, CEO of Societe Generale Madagasikara, said:

“Société Générale is very happy to have finalized the second phase of this landmark transaction. This emphasizes the very specific position the bank holds in Madagascar being able to structure complex operations and stand-by on the long run beside its clients. This innovative financing is part of the Grow With Africa initiative launched by Societe Générale Group six years ago and illustrates the major role we play to build a sustainable future in Africa.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

About GuarantCo

GuarantCo mobilises private sector local currency investment for infrastructure projects and supports the development of financial markets in lower income countries across Africa and Asia. GuarantCo is part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia and Sweden, through the PIDG Trust, the Netherlands, through FMO and the PIDG Trust, France through a stand-by facility and Global Affairs Canada through a repayable facility. GuarantCo is rated AA- by Fitch and A1 by Moody’s. GuarantCo’s activities are managed by GuarantCo Management Company which is part of Cardano Development www.guarantco.com

About PIDG

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) is an innovative infrastructure project developer and investor which mobilises private investment in sustainable and inclusive infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and south and south-east Asia. PIDG investments promote socio-economic development within a just transition to net zero emissions, combat poverty and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PIDG delivers its ambition in line with its values of opportunity, accountability, safety, integrity and impact. Since 2002, PIDG has supported 190 infrastructure projects to financial close which provided an estimated 220 million people with access to new or improved infrastructure. PIDG is funded by the governments of  the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, Germany and the IFC www.pidg.org

About GreenYellow

In 15 years, GreenYellow has become a major player in the energy transition in France and abroad and a true partner of companies and communities.  As an expert in decentralized PV production, energy efficiency projects and energy and electric mobility services, GreenYellow supports its clients throughout the value chain. The company is responsible for the development, funding and operation of infrastructure projects, enabling them to produce local and competitive green power, reduce their energy consumption and fast-track their decarbonisation. Operating in 16 countries on four continents, GreenYellow is constantly innovating to meet today’s climate challenges and expand its platform with unique and global offers www.greenyellow.com

About African Guarantee Fund

African Guarantee Fund (AGF) is a non-bank financial institution whose objective is to promote economic development, increase employment and reduce poverty in Africa by providing financial institutions with guarantee products and capacity development assistance specifically intended to support SMEs in Africa. AGF’s guarantee products are utilized in 40 African countries. African Guarantee Fund was founded by the government of Denmark through the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the government of Spain through the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Other shareholders include French Development Agency (AFD), Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) and KfW Development Bank (KfW). AGF is rated AA- by Fitch Ratings Agency.  www.africanguaranteefund.com