BANKING
Afreximbank leads US$155 million strategic facility to Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority

Afreximbank leads US$155 million strategic facility to Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) in Nairobi announced the disbursement of a $120-million financing facility to Djibouti’s Great Horn Investment Holding (GHIH) for the execution of a series of development projects in the country’s Damerjog Industrial Development Free Trade Zone.
The deal, announced after a meeting between Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah and Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti, on the sidelines of the ongoing Summit of Heads of State of the African Union, is part of a total facility amount of $155 million for work on the free trade zone. The remaining $35 million is being financed through Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie Mer Rouge (BCIMR) of Djibouti. Proceeds of the facility will be used for the completion of the Damerjog Oil Jetty, which will provide marine connectivity to the free trade zone, and for the construction of a 150,000m³ first storage depot/oil tank farm, as well as for other costs related to the projects.
The deal, which is Afreximbank’s first in Djibouti in collaboration with GHIH and the government, is targeted at supporting the development of a trade-enabling infrastructure to assist Djibouti in achieving its plan to become a regional trans-shipment and logistics hub. It will also promote intra-African trade, given that Djibouti’s economy is largely based on the provision of marine services to neighboring nations Ethiopia and Somalia, by offering them a gateway for ocean-borne freight.
Significantly, also, the facility is providing support and capacity to SOMAGEC, a Moroccan construction company which is Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Champion. Under the Intra-African Trade Champion programme, Afreximbank supports African companies to execute infrastructure projects in other African countries and assists them to compete globally with international players.
Commenting on the deal, Prof. Oramah said: “The crucial contribution of this landmark deal lies in its potential to deliver a boost to the development of the industrial capacity of Djibouti and its neighbors by assuring the implementation of critical trade enabling infrastructure to support bulk handling of liquid products. The establishment of a jetty and bulk port in the Djibouti Free Trade Zone will add significant value to Djibouti’s role as a trans-shipment hub for neighboring landlocked countries. Afreximbank is very proud to contribute to such a crucial project for Djibouti and the wider region.”
“We are equally proud that the project is being implemented by Moroccan EPC contractor SOMAGEC, a testimony to Afreximbank’s support to African contractors undertaking large infrastructure projects on the continent. Our intra-African trade agenda will continue to emphasize support to African contractors to enable them win and execute such major infrastructure projects across the continent” he added.
Afreximbank has been a key supporter of the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) market in Africa with financing and facilitation interventions totaling $13 billion in the last 6 years. This includes financing of more than $7-billion worth of EPC-related transactions and issuance of trade instruments worth more than $6 billion to support and facilitate the award of contracts to African contractors.
Commenting on the transaction, GHIH’s Chairman Aboubaker Hadi Omar: “We are very proud of our collaboration with Afreximbank, a dynamic African multilateral and transaction driven institution, and the continuous valuable technical support of the EPC SOMAGEC. In line with our multi-year infrastructure investment strategy aiming to position our country as a logistical and commercial hub for the sub-region, we’re meeting this growing demand by delivering the infrastructure necessary, to support and enhance the economic and efficient movement of petroleum products in the region whilst developing a core economic belt with Ethiopia and ultimately an industrial base for East and Central Africa.”
Furthermore, it shows that our Head of State’s vision “Djibouti 2035″ is taking place thus transforming Djibouti as regional logistic hub,” he added.
GHIH, a state-owned investment holding vehicle of the Government of Djibouti, is responsible for logistics and transportation infrastructure. It holds interest in about 18 of the largest state-owned companies in the country, with a portfolio that includes companies in shipping, bunkering, management of free zones, storage, road transport and port security.
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FINTECH
Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania

Fincra Receives Payment System Provider License from the Bank of Tanzania, Expands Regulatory Footprint in East Africa
Fincra, a leading pan-African payment infrastructure company, has received regulatory approval from the Bank of Tanzania through its 100% controlled local entity to operate as a licensed Payment System Provider, enabling it to deliver secure, scalable, and compliant payment services across Tanzania.

Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania
This approval, granted under the Payment Systems Licensing and Approval Regulations, 2015, authorises Fincra to provide payment services in Tanzania. The license represents a significant milestone in Fincra’s East African expansion strategy and underscores its commitment to working closely with regulators to build trusted financial infrastructure across the continent.
“We are thrilled to receive this license from the Bank of Tanzania. It reflects our long-standing commitment to regulatory integrity and positions us to deliver even more value to businesses in East Africa,” said Wole Ayodele, CEO at Fincra. “This is a key part of our mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa”
The license allows Fincra to offer its suite of payment products and services to businesses operating in Tanzania, including local collections, business payouts, and API-based infrastructure for real-time payments, all while maintaining full compliance with the regulatory framework set by the Bank.
Fincra’s entry into Tanzania is strategically aligned with the country’s growing digital economy and its push for financial inclusion. Businesses in sectors such as fintech, logistics, travel, retail, and remittance will now be able to leverage Fincra’s infrastructure to scale faster, move money more efficiently, and expand across borders.
This development follows Fincra’s earlier regulatory approval in South Africa as a Third Party Payments Provider (TPPP) and cements the company’s position as one of the few African fintechs actively building a multi-market regulatory foundation to support a truly pan-African financial ecosystem.
About Fincra
Fincra is building the trusted financial infrastructure for businesses in Africa to move money locally and globally. Through a suite of APIs and no-code solutions, Fincra enables secure collections, payouts, and settlements across borders, with full regulatory backing in every market it operates.
Create a Fincra account in 3 minutes here.
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FINTECH
Fincra Secures South African TPPP License

Fincra, a leading provider of payment infrastructure for local and cross-border payments in Africa, is proud to announce receipt of another Third Party Payments Provider (TPPP) in South Africa.
Under this license, Fincra is now authorised to process the following types of payments:
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) Credit
- Real-Time Clearing (RTC)
- Rapid Payments
The license reinforces Fincra’s ability to facilitate seamless, secure, and compliant financial transactions for businesses operating within and across South Africa.

Fincra Secures South African TPPP License
This development marks a pivotal advancement in Fincra’s mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa by creating the infrastructure to simplify how African businesses pay and get paid globally.
“Securing the TPPP license in South Africa is a significant step toward realising our mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa. It reinforces our commitment to building compliant, reliable infrastructure that powers cross-border trade at scale. We’re excited about the opportunities this opens for businesses across the continent.”
— Ayowole Ayodele, CEO and Co-founder, Fincra.
Fincra’s new capabilities enable businesses across Africa and beyond to integrate directly with South Africa’s core payment systems and banks, offering faster settlement, greater reliability, and compliance with the country’s stringent financial regulations.
IFincra is now better positioned to support a broader range of merchants in industries such as e-commerce, logistics, B2B marketplaces, travel, and more.
“This license strengthens our ability to serve our merchants with faster, more secure, and locally compliant payment options in South Africa. It’s a game-changer for businesses looking to expand or operate in the region, and a strong signal of Fincra’s continued focus on enabling growth for our customers.”
— Emmanuel Babalola, CCGO, Fincra.
For Fincra, this is not just a regulatory achievement, it’s a signal of what’s next for the African payments space.
As Fincra expands across the continent, its growing regulatory footprint and partnerships with Tier-1 banks provide the foundation for scale and innovation.
About Fincra
Fincra is a leading payment infrastructure provider enabling seamless cross-border transactions across Africa.
Fincra empowers businesses, fintechs, and financial institutions to collect payments globally and make payouts locally, all through one powerful API or platform. With Fincra, launching remittance products, automating payroll, and expanding into new African markets becomes effortless. Fincra is building the financial rails that power trade, innovation, and scale across the continent.
Create a free account in 3 minutes at fincra.com
Connect with Fincra on LinkedIn , X(Twitter) Instagram, and Facebook.
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BANKING
African Development Bank and Standard Bank Unite to Support Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Boost Trade

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and Standard Bank Group (SBG) on Monday signed a landmark financial agreement to enhance funding for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and expand trade across Africa.
The agreement includes a R3.6 billion investment in a social bond and a $200 million Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) for Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (SBSA). This initiative strengthens Standard Bank’s lending capacity, ensuring greater access to finance for SMMEs, a critical driver of economic growth and job creation in South Africa.

African Development Bank and Standard Bank Unite to Support Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises
The social bond investment promotes inclusive economic development, particularly for SMMEs with a turnover below R300 million and loan sizes under R40 million. This financing will support up to 4,000 businesses, helping them scale operations, create jobs, and contribute to economic resilience.
Kenny Fihla, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank Group and Chief Executive Officer of SBSA, welcomed the investment, stating: “This landmark partnership strengthens our ability to support SMMEs, the backbone of South Africa’s economy. With approximately 3.2 million SMMEs accounting for 60% of jobs, ensuring access to finance is crucial. This initiative aligns with our Sustainable Finance Framework and our commitment to financial inclusion.”
In addition to the social bond, the $200 million RPA enhances trade finance across Africa, focusing on Low-Income Countries and Transition States. This agreement enables local banks to increase lending by sharing risk, bridging the trade finance gap, and promoting intra-African trade.

African Development Bank and Standard Bank Unite to Support Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Boost Trade
Leila Mokaddem, Director General for Southern Africa at the African Development Bank, highlighted the broader impact: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership and is a testament to our shared commitment to supporting SMMEs’ growth and enhancing trade finance across Africa. Expanding financial inclusion and trade opportunities empowers businesses to drive economic transformation and regional integration. The Standard Bank Group remains a strategic partner in our shared vision for economic development on the continent.”
This initiative aligns with the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), which prioritises industrialisation, regional integration, and improving the quality of life in Africa. It also supports Standard Bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework, reinforcing both institutions’ commitment to fostering green and inclusive growth.
“We are proud of this transaction, demonstrating our shared commitment to sustainable financing. By supporting businesses, we create long-term economic opportunities and financial resilience,” stated Ahmed Attout, Director of the Financial Sector Development Department at the African Development Bank.
Kenny Fihla reaffirmed the significance of the collaboration:
“By providing much-needed capital, we are helping enterprises overcome challenges and thrive. This partnership illustrates the power of collaboration in driving meaningful economic and social change in Africa.”
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