Atlas Mara Limited ("Atlas Mara" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation ("OPIC"), the U.S. government's development finance institution, has approved $200 million in financing in support of a $300 million overall project for acquisition finance and on-lending across Africa.
This announcement follows President Obama's recent historic trip to Africa.
This OPIC approval is consistent with the President's commitment to African economic development, greater participation of African countries in the global economy, and fostering African entrepreneurship and financial inclusion
Under the terms of the agreement, OPIC will provide $200 million in long-term debt and Atlas Mara is providing $100 million of committed resources -- for a combined $300 million project.The project will have a positive developmental impact enhancing one of sub-Saharan African's fastest growing financial institutions. The project will support BancABC -- Atlas Mara's Southern African banking platform -- by expanding operations in the region. BancABC will scale up its SME loan portfolio, increase on-lending for financial inclusion products, and invest in information technology upgrades to quicken implementation of its new financial technology and mobile banking initiatives.
Together these initiatives will enable Atlas Mara to increase its presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, $130 million of OPIC's $200 million debt under this project will be dedicated towards financing strategic acquisitions to facilitate expansion of Atlas Mara's platform, footprint, and channels bolstering its developmental impact reach.Final closing of terms and conditions is anticipated during the fall of 2015.
