GuarantCo, PIDG Technical Assistance and The Rockefeller Foundation working in partnership with Acre Impact Capital to finance infrastructure projects for vulnerable populations in Africa.

  • Date written
  • May, 2021

GuarantCo, through the Private Infrastructure Development Group Technical Assistance, and The Rockefeller Foundation have provided Acre Impact Capital with catalytic funding to make debt investments in infrastructure projects that provide access to essential services to vulnerable populations in Africa.

GuarantCo through PIDG TA and TRF

Leveraging the proceeds from the catalytic funding, Acre Impact Capital will launch a series of private debt impact investment funds focused on infrastructure sectors such as healthcare, education, social housing, transport, renewable power, agriculture, water & sanitation, waste management, climate adaptation and technology / digital infrastructure. By investing alongside long-established export credit agencies (ECAs), the funds will address a key financing gap in the market, unlocking transactions and mobilising up to USD 5.6 of capital for each dollar invested. The funds aim to achieve risk-adjusted market-rate returns, while minimising the risks often associated with developing infrastructure in emerging markets.

By originating transactions which are aligned with PIDG and GuarantCo’s development impact goals, Acre Impact Capital will allow ECAs to operate in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, while encouraging trade and job creation in their home countries. ECA finance is mostly arranged by a few international banks.  Acre Impact Capital will support the ability of local banks in Africa to operate in the export finance market, partnering and providing hard currency funding where needed. For borrowers seeking to manage foreign exchange risk, Acre Impact Capital will open opportunities for local currency co-finance which will be supported by GuarantCo, including GuarantCo’s tenor extension guarantees.

Lasitha Perera, CEO of GuarantCo, said:

“This transaction is a great example of complementary public sector and philanthropic partnership joining forces to work together towards a common goal and where blended finance can mobilise commercial sources of finance to support the SDGs.  It demonstrates the strength of the PIDG group working closely together with The Rockefeller Foundation in order to deliver essential infrastructure to drive economic growth and sustainably build a more prosperous future for people in Africa who need it most.”

Maria Kozloski, Senior Vice President of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation, said:

“We are excited about the potential of Acre Impact Capital’s high impact and innovative strategy, which leverages the ECA market to mobilise largescale capital and address the huge financing gap for emerging market infrastructure.” 

Emilio Cattaneo, Director of PIDG Technical Assistance, said:

“We are delighted to have been associated with the Acre Impact Capital project since its inception and to have supported the team in the development of such an innovative concept together with our friends at The Rockefeller Foundation. Through the use of  PIDG Technical Assistance funding, we are proud to have been able to contribute to the initial capital required to enable Acre Impact Capital to be launched which demonstrates the power of strong partnerships and collaboration in delivering sustainable infrastructure in the countries where we can make a real difference.” 

Hussein Sefian, Founding Partner of Acre Impact Capital, said:

“We are thrilled to enter into a long-term partnership with aligned investors such as The Rockefeller Foundation and the Private Infrastructure Development Group, through GuarantCo, to advance Acre Impact Capital’s mission to provide access to essential services to underserved communities and contribute to reducing the infrastructure financing gap in Africa which is estimated to be over USD 100 billion a year. Our Export Finance funds will provide institutional and impact investors with exposure to a new asset class – export finance loans – while promoting the financing of sustainable and socially impactful infrastructure.”

Signing ceremony celebration

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, and France through a stand-by 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 development and finance organisation which encourages and mobilises private investment in pioneering infrastructure in the frontier markets of sub-Saharan Africa and south and south-east Asia to promote economic development and combat poverty. PIDG delivers its ambition in line with its values of opportunity, accountability, safety, integrity and impact. Since 2002, PIDG has supported 157 infrastructure projects to financial close and provided 209 million people with access to new or improved infrastructure. PIDG is funded by six governments (the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden, Germany) and the IFC. www.pidg.org

 

About PIDG Technical Assistance

PIDG Technical Assistance (TA) can provide technical assistance and capital grants to the PIDG companies to meet a range of needs associated with an infrastructure project’s life-cycle. PIDG TA can also provide up-front viability gap funding grants to support PIDG projects that require concessional funding to make a project with strong development impact financeable.

 

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation advances new frontiers of science, data, and innovation to solve global challenges related to health, food, power, and economic mobility. As a science-driven philanthropy focused on building collaborative relationships with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation seeks to inspire and foster large-scale human impact that promotes the well-being of humanity throughout the world by identifying and accelerating breakthrough solutions, ideas, and conversations. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @RockefellerFdn.

 

About Acre Impact Capital

Founded in 2019, Acre Impact Capital invests in growth-stage, climate-aligned infrastructure in emerging markets by partnering with leading commercial lenders and export credit agencies. Our Export Finance funds address the estimated $100 billion annual infrastructure financing gap in Africa, driving economic growth and providing essential services for underserved populations. By co-investing alongside well-established export credit agency partners, we aim to achieve risk-adjusted market-rate returns for our investors while mobilising up to 5.6x private sector capital for every dollar invested. Our strong relationships and partnerships with key players in the export finance ecosystem provide us with privileged access to a diverse pool of curated opportunities across Africa. To find out more, visit: www.acre.capital