BoI raises record €1.43bn in global loan syndication drive

The Bank of Industry has raised approximately €1.43bn, the largest amount in the history of the bank, during the senior phase of its global loan syndication.

In a statement made available to The PUNCH on Thursday, the development finance institution said the transaction also recorded a 42.5 per% oversubscription.

It said the facility included a fully guaranteed and a partially guaranteed tranche by Africa Finance Corporation.

BoI raised €1bn via a term loan syndicated facility in July 2022, which was repaid in July 2024.

Commenting on the transaction, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of BoI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the proceeds of the loan would help finance a growing demand for BoI funds across the country.

Olusi said, “This is the largest syndication in the bank’s history and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the management of BoI to ensuring that much-needed low-interest and longer-tenured funds are available to Nigeria’s growing private sector in line with the vision of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu.

“We are grateful for the support received from the CBN and other agencies of government.”

The BoI boss assured that the bank, under his leadership, would continue to work with global development financial institutions to ensure better loan terms for Nigeria’s private enterprises.

He explained that the performance represented a mark of confidence in the bank and the Nigerian economy by foreign investors who perceive a bright future for the country.

Meanwhile, the bank appointed the AFC and Standard Chartered Bank as the global coordinators of a €1bn syndicated term loan facility (with an accordion of another €1bn).

Also, AFC, African Export-Import Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, FirstRand Bank Limited (London Branch), acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division, Mashreqbank PSC, SMBC Bank International Plc, and Standard Chartered Bank were appointed as the initial mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners.

In addition, Absa Bank Limited (acting through its corporate and investment banking division) and its affiliates and Export-Import Bank of India London Branch have also joined the facility as initial mandated lead arrangers, BoI stated.

The bank said it was looking forward to a successful conclusion of the ongoing general phase, given the level of interest expressed by the local and international banks and investors.