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Axian Telecom

February 2022

Axian Telecom

Pan-Africa
Pan-Africa
Digital communications infrastructure
Digital communications infrastructure
Overall: US$420 million
EAIF: US$20 million

In February 2022, EAIF was an anchor investor in a successful bond issue by African telecommunications and digital company Axian Telecom that raised US$420 million. EAIF has invested US$20 million in the bond, scaled back from an original commitment of up to US$40 million, following strong private sector interest in the issue. Attracting private investment into African infrastructure is a core objective of PIDG and EAIF.

The new funds from EAIF will be used to expand the company’s footprint in Africa, specifically on capital expenditure in Madagascar and Togo, so increasing access to faster and more affordable internet for millions of consumers and supporting Sustainable Development Goal 9.  Some of the funds raised by the issue will be spent in other Axian markets, such as Tanzania.

Begun in 2004, Axian has since expanded into eight markets, through subsidiaries in Madagascar, Togo, Mauritius, Tanzania and Uganda and joint ventures in Senegal, Réunion/Mayotte and the Comoros.

Mr Hassanein Hiridjee, the Chairman of Axian said;

“The Axian business has been built in Africa by Africans. The markets we are in are full of potential and we are proud to support their economies and provide communications services to millions of Africans. EAIF’s confidence in Axian and its commitment to economic development in Africa is very welcome.”

This is a significant investment for EAIF. We are supporting the expansion of a successful indigenous African corporate at time of global financial market uncertainty in the wake of Covid. A number of the countries where Axian operates are particularly in need of more investment in digital and telecommunications infrastructure to grow their economies and lift business confidence.”

Anchoring the Axian bond is further confirmation of EAIF’s role in supporting the development of the digital and telecommunications sectors in Africa. In recent years, through investments in bonds or by conventional debt lending, EAIF has backed major African telecommunications businesses, including Liquid Telecom, HTA Group, IHS, Helios Towers, Sonatel and the West Indian Ocean Cable Company.

Applying for project support

If you are looking for debt finance for an infrastructure project in sub-Saharan Africa please talk to us.

EAIF mainly supports private sector infrastructure projects to create new or expand existing facilities. We welcome enquiries from companies in Africa and worldwide that want to grow their businesses in sub-Saharan Africa and share our commitment to the continent and its peoples. Enquiries are also welcome from  financial advisers and specialist consultants.