Access Bank Plc has announced the dual-listing of a fully certified Green Bond on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange following the formal approval of the bond by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The lender, which just concluded its merger with Diamond Bank last weekend, explained that the Bond was the first of its kind to be issued by an African corporate and represents a major milestone in the development of the local green finance market.
According to it, the N15 billion, 5-year Fixed Rate Senior Unsecured Green Bond is rated AA- by Agusto & Co, the underlying framework is verified by PwC (UK) and certified by the Climate Bond Initiative as having met the Global Climate Bonds Standard.
The bank disclosed that the issuance was fully subscribed by way of book build and that the bond priced at a coupon of 15.5 percent, with participation from a wide range of asset managers and pension fund administrators.
The Green Bond issuance highlights the bank’s commitment to sustainability and its status as a pioneer in green financing in both the domestic and international capital markets.
In addition, the bond comes amidst a global drive for responsible and sustainable green financing and will allow the financing of new loans and refinancing of existing loans in accordance with the Bank’s Green Bond Framework.
The bank’s management stated that the bond will support projects directed at flood defense, solar generation facilities and agriculture.
Speaking at the listing event on Monday, the bank’s Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe said: “At Access Bank we are a pioneer in both domestic and international capital markets, leading the way with our commitment to sustainable banking.
“We hope that this bond issuance inspires other African companies to support the long-term development of the green finance market whilst simultaneously realizing the growth potential of the fast-developing low carbon economy”, he projected.
In his remarks at the launch, the Climate Bonds Deputy CEO, Justine Leigh-Bell, commended the bank in its efforts targeted at promoting sustainability in Africa through the financing of green projects.
He said: “This first Climate Bond certified corporate green bond out of Africa represents a major milestone in the development of the local green finance market.
“In addition to being an inspiration to other private companies, the leadership demonstrated by Access Bank is critical for the long term development of the green finance market in Nigeria and a great example for other African nations to follow”, Leigh-Bell added.
