Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading infrastructure development finance institution on the continent, has received 13 awards at the 2026 EMEA Finance Awards, recognising a range of transactions across energy, transport, natural resources, infrastructure development, and capital markets.
The awards acknowledged AFC’s involvement in financing projects and transactions aimed at supporting infrastructure expansion, industrial development, regional connectivity, and access to long-term capital across Africa.
Among the recognised transactions was AFC’s financing support for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals project in Nigeria, described as one of the largest refining complexes globally. The corporation also received recognition for its participation in the Kano–Maradi railway project, a transport corridor connecting northern Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic, and the Cabeolica wind farm and battery storage expansion project in Cape Verde.
Additional awards were linked to AFC-backed financing for Nigeria LNG, Côte d’Ivoire’s road infrastructure programme, Sierra Leone’s Baomahun gold mine project, and a gas-fired power plant development in Senegal.
Beyond project finance, AFC was recognised for several capital market and funding transactions, including its debut sustainability-linked loan, a US$500 million perpetual hybrid bond issuance, and its guarantee support for Angola’s inaugural ¥40 billion Samurai bond.
The institution was also named Best Borrower in EMEA, an award that recognises borrowers with significant access to international capital markets and strong investor engagement.
Speaking on the recognition, AFC President and Chief Executive Officer, Samaila Zubairu, said the awards reflected the role of long-term capital and strategic partnerships in delivering infrastructure and industrial projects across the continent.
According to him, the recognition also highlights increasing investor confidence in Africa-focused infrastructure financing and the capacity of African institutions to structure and execute large-scale projects.
Project Finance Awards
AFC-supported transactions received the following project finance awards:
- Best Chemical Deal – Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals revolving club working capital, bridge and supply chain financing
- Best Infrastructure Deal – Côte d’Ivoire’s 540-kilometre road development and improvement project
- Best Natural Gas Deal – Nigeria LNG corporate term loan and revolving credit facility
- Best Natural Resources Deal – FG Gold’s Baomahun gold mine project in Sierra Leone
- Best Power Deal – Aksa Enerji’s 250MW combined-cycle gas power plant in Senegal
- Best Rail Deal – Kano–Maradi 378-kilometre railway project in Nigeria
- Best Wind Farm – Cabeolica wind farm and battery storage expansion project in Cape Verde
EMEA Achievement Awards
The institution also received recognition in the following categories:
- Best Borrower in EMEA – AFC Treasury and Funding Team
- Best Supranational Syndicated Loan – US$1.5 billion syndicated loan
- Best Sustainability Loan in EMEA – AED937.5 million sustainability-linked loan
- Best Supranational Islamic Facility – US$400 million Commodity Murabaha facility
- Best Supranational Bond – US$500 million perpetual hybrid bond
- Best Samurai Bond – Angola’s debut ¥40 billion Samurai bond issuance
The awards highlight continued investment activity across sectors considered critical to Africa’s economic development, including energy infrastructure, transport networks, industrial production, and innovative financing mechanisms designed to mobilise long-term capital for development projects.
