Ecobank Group has launched the world’s first
International Capital Market Association (ICMA) commercial bank-issued Nature Bond on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), creating a new route for international and African capital to protect Africa’s biodiversity.
The $450 million bond was priced following strong investor demand with the final orderbook exceeding $1.36 billion – 3.9x the original target size. The strength of demand enabled Ecobank to increase the transaction by $100 million and tighten pricing by 50 basis points.
The transaction attracted support from both international and African investors, demonstrating Ecobank’s unique ability to mobilise capital across global and African markets.
For the first time, international and African capital markets have a credible, scalable mechanism for financing the protection of African natural capital through the communities who depend on it.
Moody’s awarded the transaction its highest possible sustainability quality score, SQS1 Excellent. The bond will support African farmers, sustainable agriculture businesses and
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