Geopolitics and export credit finance: Capitalising on East Africa’s strategic position to boost infrastructure investment

Events / 07-06-21 / Share Link

East African infrastructure has become a primary focus for competing geopolitical interests in Africa. The turmoil caused by the pandemic – and the political influence related to vaccine supply – has renewed interest in the region from state actors such as the US and Russia, posing a counterbalance to China’s dominance. Meanwhile the acute need for counter-cyclical ECA financing support has combined with African institutions’ continued innovation to realise a bumper year for African ECA deals.

Featuring the key players spearheading investment growth - Sekete Mokgehle (Head, Export Credit Finance, Nedbank), Mathilde Cottard (Executive Director, Head of Structured Export Finance EMEA, SMBC Bank International), Isaac Kahara (Regional Head, East Africa, UK Export Finance (UKEF)), Nkemjika Onwuamaegbu (Head of Origination, Low Income Countries, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)), Enoch Mwita (Head of Business Development, Africa, ASGC Holding) - this discussion from GTR East Africa 2021 Virtual identifies infrastructure development opportunities for borrowers, financiers and export credit agencies, gauges fresh challenges relating to sovereign debt sustainability and increasing ESG scrutiny, and pinpoints the region’s economies and industry sectors that stand to benefit from a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment.