African international designer, Ozwald Boateng, in collaboration with Nigerian businessman, Kola Aluko, and Nigerian oil and gas company, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited, has agreed to establish a multi-million dollar charitable organisation, Made In Africa Foundation, to focus on first-stage funding of infrastructure projects in Africa.
According to a press release from Atlantic Energy, obtained by PANA here Tuesday, the Foundation will provide “first mile” finance to Africans and African businesses involved in the development of major infrastructure projects in the region.
Finance will be provided for the drafting of feasibility studies and business plans ahead of seeking project finance from sources such as private equity, development finance institutions and commercial banks, the press release said.
According to Atlantic Energy, “Infrastructure development is the key factor in the transformation of sovereign economies from developing to emerging market status.
“According to the International Finance Corporation, the estimated financing requirement to close Africa’s infrastructure deficit amounts to US$ 93 billion annually until 2020. Much of this money is available, but it cannot be applied until the requisite business plans and feasibility studies have been developed to enable capable sponsors and funding to come together.
“A lack of capital to get to this stage has meant that many opportunities have not been pursued and few projects have been undertaken by Africans or African businesses.”
Made In Africa Foundation and Atlantic Energy plan to initially finance independent power project feasibility studies across Africa, and the Ugandan urban renewal master plan for Kampala’s Naguru Nakawa redevelopment.
In his comment, Boateng said: “It’s a well-known statistic that US$ 400 million of funding for feasibility studies and master plans across sub-Saharan Africa will develop over US$ 100 billion of infrastructure projects, which in turn will create a trillion dollars of value across Africa.
“The first step is often the hardest and we have created this Foundation with Atlantic Energy to make that step easier for Africans.”
Dayo Okusami, General Counsel and Executive Director of Atlantic Energy, added: “Atlantic Energy’s philosophy is based on the pillar of Enduring Commitment − an abiding promise towards corporate responsibility for the sustainable development of infrastructure projects in Nigeria and others parts of Africa.
“Atlantic Energy is pleased to be a founding donor and supporter of this exceptional charity and we look forward to fostering a continent-wide push for sustainable infrastructure development. In this regard, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited has committed to underwrite US$ 7 million for the independent power project feasibility studies, the Ugandan urban renewal master plan, as well as the Foundation’s running costs for the first three years.”
Made In Africa Ltd was founded in 2006 by Boateng, Chris Cleverly and Pr. Hassan Kimbugwe. It is a Mauritius-based company dedicated to bringing innovative ideas and capital to Africa.
Made In Africa co-hosted with former Ghanaian President John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor, the State Banquet for Ghana’s African Union conference, and the UK’s Department for International Development 2010 Whitehall conference on Growth Corridors.
Made In Africa continues to advise governments, including that of the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, on infrastructure, innovation and development finance.
Atlantic Energy is a private upstream oil and gas group, founded by Nigerian and international exploration and production (“E&P”) executives, with an extensive track record and experience in the Nigerian E&P sector.
The company currently operates in Nigeria and is dedicated to its partners and communities through its Enduring Commitment sustainability programme
