Challenge
Africa faces a significant shortage of critical infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population that is increasingly living and working in urban areas, and countries that are seeking better trade and connectivity with the rest of the world. In addition to providing reliable electricity to the hundreds of millions of people who lack access, Africa needs modern hospitals, buildings, airports and seaports.
Solution and Impact
DFC is providing $50 million of debt financing to the Meridiam Africa Infrastructure Fund, which is investing in a variety of infrastructure projects. Meridiam’s investments include solar energy projects in Senegal and a geothermal project in Ethiopia, helping those countries grow and diversify their energy supply; a university hospital in Cote d’Ivoire to expand access to healthcare, an airport renovation in Madagascar to support the country’s tourism industry, and port development projects in Gabon and Mauritania to support trade.