Cygnum Capital

Size matters: Changing narratives from risk to opportunity in Africa. Against the backdrop of a changing global financial infrastructure for developing and frontier markets, Cygnum Capital argues that regional integration offers the fastest path to creating larger, more compelling markets on the continent, prompted by a recent article in The Economist [https://lnkd.in/efjig3yy] about the hurdles between international financial markets and investment opportunities in Africa. Read article here: https://lnkd.in/gDzudsXK #sustainabledevelopment #emergingmarkets #frontiermarkets #sustainability #capitalmarkets #innovation #africa #africanbusiness

This milestone comes exactly one year after the issuance of the first #GreenBond tranche, showcasing Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc commitment to addressing #Zambia's energy needs through innovative financing solutions and renewable energy projects. The issuance of this tranche was facilitated by Cygnum Capital, serving as Lead Arrangers, and providing a pathway for local and regional private investors. The transaction will support CEC Renewables in increasing its total solar generation capacity to 230 MW in Zambia. The company will sell the power to local businesses and ZESCO Limited, the country's energy utility. From the power sold to ZESCO, it is estimated that 146,000 end-users will benefit from improved electricity supply quality. The commitment comes at a critical time as Zambia faces a climate and energy crisis. Droughts have significantly exposed its heavy dependence on hydropower, leading to a substantial shortfall in power supply. #greeneconomy #cleanenergy #sustainability #renewableenergy #innovation #africa #capitalmarkets #emergingmarkets #cleanenergy #climatefinance

Ampersand Energy, AfricaGoGreen Fund, the European Commission and TCX might seem like an unusual team, yet this partnership is showing how innovative financial tools can help support the creation of a resilient green economy in emerging markets. AfricaGoGreen Fund, managed by Cygnum Capital, has successfully converted one of their existing USD debt facilities with Ampersand Energy into #Rwandan Francs (RWF) using the TCX EC Facility, helping catalyze the private sector that identified FX risk as a key impediment to invest in #emergingmarkets. This transaction will help protect Africa's first electric transport energy company from currency risk, allowing it to focus on growing its' business instead of depreciations, and making a positive impact on local businesses and communities. #climatefinance #developmentfinance #innovation #emergingmarkets #capitalmarkets #africanbusiness #africa #greeneconomy #cleanenergy #sustainability

Delighted to join the 2X Global network to support gender equality by unlocking gender-smart capital at scale #genderinvesting #gendersmart #genderequality #sustainabledevelopment #inclusivegrowth #genderfinance #climatefinance #jedi #careeconomy #genderlensinvesting #2Xchallenge

Cygnum Capital acted as lead arranger for the issuance of the second Green Bond tranche by CEC Renewables, a subsidiary of Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc. The US$ 96.7 million tranche attracted robust investor interest, achieving a 2.3x oversubscription, and comes one year after the issuance of the first tranche in 2023. Proceeds from the second tranche will finance the second phase of CEC Renewables’ Itimpi Solar PV Plant, which is expected to contribute 136 MW to the Company’s renewable energy portfolio, and represents a significant stride in enhancing Zambia’s renewable energy capacity. Preparation for the development of Itimpi Phase Two is already underway with the plant scheduled for commissioning in 2025. James Doree of Cygnum Capital said “CEC Renewables is a trailblazer in Africa’s capital markets. As the leading private operator in the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP), and a key supplier of clean energy to the mining sector, CEC-R has now shown that it can bring commercial investors from the region, together with international institutions, to finance new renewable energy capacity, and provides a template for future issuance and issuers.” Investors in the second tranche included Stanbic Bank Zambia who acted as the Lead Underwriter, FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc and the ALCB Fund #renewableenergy #sustainablegrowth #africanbusiness #africarising #cleanenergy #greenenergy #cygnumcapital #renewables #capitalmarkets https://lnkd.in/eZvmns5G

The Cygnum Capital Investment Banking team has supported CrossBoundary Energy in securing a US$140M senior debt commitment from the Standard Bank Group of South Africa to scale their renewable energy portfolio across #Africa. The transaction, the first tranche of a broader mandate with Standard Bank, will serve CBE's Commercial and Industrial (C&I) clients across Africa and help support business access to affordable and reliable power, one of the largest impediments to business growth in the African market. The ground-breaking transaction highlights the potential role of commercial funders in supporting the adoption of renewable energy solutions by businesses across Africa. Cygnum Capital acted as exclusive financial adviser to the transaction. #cygnumcapital #sustainabledevelopment #sustainability #renewables #renewableenergy #greenenergy #africanbusiness #inclusivegrowth

The ALCB Fund, in collaboration with the IFC - International Finance Corporation, has invested in the debut XOF 20 billion (USD 32 million) Sustainability Bond issuance of Baobab Sénégal. Bond proceeds will be applied to provide loans to over 5,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in #Senegal, including women-owned/led businesses. This transaction represents the first thematic bond in #Senegal and the first sustainable bond in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) issued by the private sector. The transaction was the outcome of a collaboration between the ALCB Fund, IFC, and USAID's Entrepreneuriat & Investissement programme. The ALCB Fund provided financing on behalf of both the Fund and IFC, with IFC in turn providing a credit guarantee equal to 45% of the Fund’s investment. The ALCB Fund is managed by Cygnum Capital — ALCB Fund, en collaboration avec IFC - International Finance Corporation, a investi dans la première émission obligataire durable de @Baobab Senegal. Cette émission permet à Baobab Senegal de lever 20 milliards de FCFA (32 millions de dollars) qui serviront notamment à accorder des prêts à des taux abordables à plus de 5000 micro-entrepreneurs et TPE au Sénégal, y compris des entreprises appartenant à des femmes et/ou dirigées par des femmes. Cette transaction représente la première obligation thématique au #Sénégal et la première obligation durable dans l'Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine (UEMOA) émise par un acteur du secteur privé. La transaction est le résultat d'une collaboration entre le ALCB Fund, IFC et le programme Entrepreneuriat & Investissement de l'agence américaine pour le développement international (USAID E&I). Le ALCB Fund a investi un montant global de 10,5 milliards de FCFA dont 45% est couvert par une garantie de crédit de IFC. Le ALCB Fund est géré par Cygnum Capital. #africanbusiness #sustainabledevelopment #capitalmarkets #sustainability #thematicbonds #genderinvestment #inclusivegrowth #sdgs #waemu Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eNhHhWsD

We are delighted to announce that the AfricaGoGreen Fund has provided USD 11 million of senior debt finance to facilitate Mawingu's expansion into #EastAfrica alongside investments from InfraCo Africa and FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank. Mawingu is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provides low-cost access to the internet across rural and peri-urban communities in #Kenya to unconnected businesses and consumers. Today, they announced the acquisition of Habari, a Tanzanian-based ISP with over 25 years of providing Internet/ICT solutions in the country, allowing Mawingu to provide increased digital connectivity across East Africa, particularly in regions and communities that have not been a priority for larger ISPs. Laurène Aigrain, Managing Director of the AfricaGoGreen Fund, said: “We are thrilled to support an #ISP that is not only expanding internet access to remote communities but doing so with sustainability at its core. This investment aligns perfectly with AfricaGoGreen Fund’s mission to back climate-friendly solutions that drive real change.” Africa GoGreen is managed by Cygnum Capital. #realchange #sustainabledevelopment #inclusivegrowth #newopportunities #connectivity #africanbusiness #climatechange #greenenergy #sustainability #climatefriendlyinvestments #internetaccess See more here: https://lnkd.in/ezNqu2i7

We are delighted to see today's announcement at COP29 Azerbaijan of British International Investment's USD 16 million commitment to the AfricaGoGreen Fund, managed by Cygnum Capital, to advance climate resilience initiatives in Africa. Having now raised over USD 166 million at final close, Africa GoGreen will expand access to finance for climate-friendly projects, such as purchasing high-efficiency appliances and industrial equipment, retrofitting existing buildings, constructing new green buildings, investing in the growth of electric mobility vehicles and infrastructure, and installing battery storage for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. Since becoming fully operational in 2021, AGG, a fund backing early stage businesses taking climate action in Africa, has provided financing to several pan-African clean energy platforms, including Solarise Africa and BURN Manufacturing, to accelerate access to clean energy and cooking solutions for millions of Africans. Other notable investments include Camusat's AktivCo, a telecoms Energy Services Company (ESCO) that is expanding clean energy solutions for telecoms infrastructure in #BurkinaFaso, #Cameroon, #Chad, #CôtedIvoire, #Nigeria and #Senegal; M-KOPA, an asset financing platform that provides underbanked customers in Africa access to essential products including solar lighting, televisions, fridges, smartphones and financial service; and Ampersand Energy, which is scaling electric motorbikes and charging infrastructure across #Rwanda and #Kenya. #ghgreduction #africanbusiness #greenenergy #sustainabledevelopmnet Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eQK35uG5

E3 Capital is pleased to announce an investment in Wattnow, a #climatetech #startup specialising in #IoT-based smart energy management systems. Founded in 2018 by Issam Smaali in #Tunisia, Wattnow leverages AI and real-time data analytics to optimise energy consumption for businesses, reducing costs and carbon footprints, and helping their clients move towards a more sustainable future. The funding will support Wattnow's expansion into new markets beyond Tunisia. The round was led by Lateral Frontiers VC with participation from 216 Capital Ventures, Outlierz Ventures, Satgana and Octerra Capital and a group of strategic angel investors, including InstaDeep founder Karim Beguir and Guillaume Amblard. #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #climatechange #lowcarbon #inclusivegrowth #sdgs #cleanenergy #smartenergy #tunisia #tunisianstartups #techhubs #africanentrepreneurs https://lnkd.in/epvQ7-GF