Africell Holding Limited, a telco present in various African countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raised $300 million in the international capital market last month. This funding came from a covered bond issue that will mature in 2029. The offering was popular among investors, with bids totaling $550 million.

Africell will use the money to refinance its existing debt and boost its investment capacity, especially in the DRC, where the company has strong growth potential. The financing package also includes a $30 million revolving credit facility yet to be used. This deal improves Africell's financial position by reducing short-term cash needs and supporting sustainable growth. The funds will help lower operating costs and manage currency risks, which are important issues in the DRC, and Angola, another market where Africell operates.

Besides the DRC and Angola, Africell is well-established in markets like Gambia and Sierra Leone. Although the DRC is the telco’s fourth-largest market, the country’s size and increasing demand for mobile and internet services present major opportunities for expansion.

A year ago, Africell announced plans to expand into three new provinces in eastern DRC: North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika. The company wants about four million new customers in these areas where access to mobile networks is poor.

The recent fundraising was arranged by Citigroup, J.P. Morgan, and Standard Chartered. Part of the proceeds will help enhance Africell's network infrastructure, diversify its financing sources, and increase sales while ensuring financial stability for future investments in the DRC and other African countries.

Georges Auréole Bamba