London, July 29: The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company managed by Ninety One, today announced it has secured a USD 100 million debt facility from Export Finance Australia (EFA). The commitment reinforces EAAIF’s expansion to Asian markets and plans to mobilise investment for strategic infrastructure in South and Southeast Asia.
Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) in South and Southeast Asia represent over 2.5 billion people – more than 25% of the world’s population. With a dynamic and skilled workforce, expanding urban centres, and a growing consumer base, the region presents significant investment opportunities for businesses building climate-resilient infrastructure. In Southeast Asia alone, spending on clean energy represents just 2% of the global total despite surging demand, which positions private debt for infrastructure financing in underserved areas.1
The USD 100 million facility will enable EAAIF to deepen exposure to infrastructure opportunities that accelerate action on energy access2, Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar solutions3, digital communications infrastructure and sustainable transport4 solutions. This helps create new businesses and drives green growth – enhancing resilient and prosperous supply chains.
EAAIF, (A2 Stable rated by Moody’s) provides a gateway for leading impact-focused finance institutions and commercial and institutional lenders, with a mandate to deliver commercially competitive returns and sustainable development impact.
The Fund has received USD 396 million of equity capital from four governments (the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden) through the Private Infrastructure Development Group. In addition, EAAIF has raised more than USD 2 billion of debt facilities since inception, proving the blended finance concept. By expanding the Fund’s footprint and partnering with organisations such as EFA, EAAIF is supporting economies and societies to better withstand climate shocks and drive sustainable economic transformation. As part of PIDG’s suite of investment solutions – from early-stage development through InfraCo to credit enhancement via GuarantCo – EAAIF strengthens the group’s ability to deliver a just, green transition and tangible impact across the region.
Olivia Carballo, Managing Director & Martijn Proos, Co-Head of Emerging Market Alternative Credit, Ninety One, the fund manager of EAAIF, said: “Through our collaboration with the Australian government, Export Finance Australia is supporting the Fund to deliver sustainable infrastructure and clean energy projects across the Indo-Pacific. This partnership enables access to high-growth markets through a blended finance vehicle. By collaborating domestically, we are able to deliver resilient, climate-smart infrastructure to some of the fastest-growing yet underserved markets- bridging the financing gap and creating opportunities for people, communities and ambitious businesses across the region.”
Philippe Valahu, CEO, PIDG said: “The partnership with Export Finance Australia marks a powerful endorsement of PIDG’s mission to mobilise and multiply capital for infrastructure that has a deep and lasting impact on communities and economies. This commitment strengthens our capacity to deliver transformative projects in high-growth markets, reinforcing the shared ambition between PIDG and the Australian government to accelerate inclusive growth and the region’s green transition”.
John Hopkins, Managing Director & CEO of EFA, said: “Our investment in EAAIF enables us to support a diverse pipeline of renewable energy and infrastructure projects while partnering with a proven fund manager and a globally recognised development finance platform. It also demonstrates the value of working with like-minded partners to crowd in private capital and help close the infrastructure financing gap in the region.”
4 https://www.eaif.com/eaaif-invests-in-usd-141-9-million-sustainable-aviation-fuel-facility-in-pakistan-mark
ing-funds-first-asia-investment/
3 https://www.eaif.com/eaaif-invests-usd-20-million-in-cme-solar-cmes-to-power-vietnams-manufacturing-s
ector-with-clean-energy-sources/
2 https://irei.com/news/the-eaaif-provides-10m-of-debt-financing-to-greenko-group/
1 https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-investment-2024/southeast-asia
