In a strategic move poised to reshape Africa’s energy financing landscape, Sahara Energy Resource Limited—a leading African energy and infrastructure conglomerate—has closed a $225 million unsecured, committed Revolving Credit Facility (RCF). This milestone reinforces the continent’s potential in leading a responsible global energy transition.
The new facility, significantly oversubscribed, signals a strong vote of confidence from global financiers in Sahara’s operating model and long-term sustainability strategy. This is not just a financing deal—it is a telling signal of how African energy firms are increasingly becoming bankable, globally trusted players in an era of green growth.
Backed by a syndicate of 19 international and regional banks, the credit line will support Sahara’s trade finance activities, working capital, and corporate operations, including initiatives that align with environmental and energy sustainability goals. Leading the financing syndicate were ING Bank, UBS Switzerland AG, Natixis CIB, Banque Internationale de Commerce – BRED (Suisse) SA, and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), acting as Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers. Several African and Middle Eastern banks, including ABSA Bank (South Africa), Ecobank, Nedbank, and Ghana International Bank, joined or recommitted to the facility, showing regional cohesion in backing the continent’s energy future.
For Africa, the implications are far-reaching. Sahara Energy, with operations spanning oil, gas, power generation, and infrastructure development, is increasingly anchoring its business on sustainable practices—whether by reducing emissions through better logistics or integrating renewable technologies into its operations. This facility expands Sahara’s ability to fund cleaner energy solutions and diversify energy access across underserved regions.
“This transaction is a reflection of growing confidence in African corporates that are embracing sustainability and strong governance,” said Nicolas Mignot, Sahara’s Chief Financial Officer. “The oversubscription affirms the trust in our resilient model and our ambition to expand sustainably across global markets.”
The facility follows Sahara’s $175 million RCF raised in 2024, reinforcing the firm’s trajectory toward climate-aligned financial growth. According to ING Bank’s Head of Commodity Merchant Clients in Switzerland, Francois Broussard, Sahara’s strong financial discipline and long-term sustainability vision were central to mobilizing such robust support.
From an African perspective, the Sahara deal represents more than a financial transaction—it exemplifies how homegrown enterprises are attracting global capital while charting pathways toward sustainability and energy equity. In a region where 600 million people still lack access to electricity, such facilities offer African firms the capital leverage to scale impactful solutions—from energy infrastructure to cleaner fuel logistics.
Sahara’s financial growth, underpinned by sustainability-linked strategies, can catalyze further investments into the continent’s energy transition—especially when global climate finance remains largely inaccessible to African actors.
As Africa pushes to increase its share of clean, reliable energy while creating jobs and protecting ecosystems, Sahara’s $225 million facility stands as a symbol of confidence in the continent’s ability to lead, adapt, and accelerate a greener future.
