Africa Loans

Emerging market borrowers are turning their noses up at the terms on offer in the loan market, which have become dearer during the coronavirus pandemic. Lenders say they are willing and ready to lend, but are not ready to concede on their terms, writes Mariam Meskin.

The African business unit of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co, a mainland state-owned company, is tapping the offshore loan market for the first time, seeking $300m.

South African bank Investec has chosen to extend the tenor of an existing loan instead of refinancing it, in an attempt to avoid paying the wider margins lenders are demanding as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, is the latest emerging market to approach international financing institutions for help to deal with Covid-19.

The number of year-to-date loans signed across CEEMEA more than halved compared to last year, which bankers said is a direct result of the coronavirus crisis that has engulfed countries and markets worldwide. The outlook for issuance is bleak, to the dismay of many lenders.

Moody’s downgraded South Africa on Friday, removing the battered sovereign’s final investment grade rating. Sentiment among investors and bankers was split, with some confident that borrowers will be able to lean on their relationship lenders if needed, and others worried about the economic hit which is heading the country’s way.

As the deadly Covid-19 virus continues to wreak havoc on global markets and supply chains, emerging market lenders are proceeding to discuss financing options with clients, but are only comfortable funding those of the highest quality, according to bankers. Origination processes are becoming more stringent than ever, with some lenders requesting to see borrowers detailed contingency plans.

Ghana Cocoa Board's latest entry into international capital markets has been faced with delays as a result of coronavirus, according to bankers. The deal, which was meant to close at the end of January, will now likely close within a few weeks.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings, the Nigerian subsidiary of Standard Bank, has raised a loan of $150m from a consortium of international lenders, according to bankers. A number of African banks have come to market over the last 12 months, defying economic and country-specific risks to achieve attractive terms on their financing, a trend that is likely to continue.

Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance has raised a $1.46bn loan — its largest foreign loan to date — to finance the construction of a railway from Dar es Salaam to the centre of the country. The loan is being provided by a number of development banks and credit agencies.

Saudi Arabian food and beverage producer Almarai has secured a $100m loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support expansion in Egypt and Jordan.

Nabil Lahham has joined HSBC to head up advisory and corporate finance coverage for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. He was most recently at Perella Weinberg Partners.