Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa 2022

Introduction:

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, we remain committed to supporting our clients across Africa and are delighted to announce that we will be hosting an in-person Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa Conference at Cape Town International Convention Centre on the 8th & 9th March 2022.

Why Attend This Edition?

This will be the first industry gathering of the African financial markets since the onset of COVID-19. "The continent's only pan-African debt event" is your best opportunity to re-connect with friends, to start to rebuild business with key stakeholders and to discuss important market developments face-to-face.

The COVID-secure event will bring together hundreds of leading government officials, regulators, investors, bankers and corporates and feature over 60 expert speakers.

Use this unique high-level gathering of Africa's most senior capital markets stakeholders to reassert your position in the market; setup valuable face-to-face meetings; re-connect with your existing clients; build strong business relations with your prospects; and hear the market's financial leaders speak on how they are navigating the current economic climate/share their expectations for 2022/23.

WATCH THE 2022 HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO

Day Two Feature: ESG & Capital Markets Africa

For the 10th edition of Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa, we are delighted to present our ESG & Capital Markets Africa feature on Day 2 (9th March 2022). Comprised of 4 key panels and over 20 world class African ESG-focused speakers, it is a unique opportunity for borrowers, investors, bankers and policy makers to share knowledge, debate and network in ESG in-person.

This section of Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa 2022 is open to all conference attendees and will deliver 3 unique benefits. It is the only gathering focused on ESG and sustainable finance solutions for the African market and the only event to:

1. Deliver solution-driven content on ESG finance focused solely on the African market
2. Bring international sustainable finance leaders together with local financial markets to shape what ESG looks like in Africa
3. Map out the journey for African issuers to raise sustainable instruments in this new environment

We have added this section to our wider in-person Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa 2022 Conference in response to high-demand from the market, following the success of our virtual ESG & Capital Markets Africa Conference in 2021.

It is clear that the African market recognises the need to better understand ESG principles, conduct cost/benefit analysis for green-priced products and incorporate sustainable thinking into governance and long-term business strategy. This Day 2 feature will enable attendees to gain practical solutions to move their business forward in a more sustainable direction.

KEY TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED IN 2022

Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa - KEY TOPICS (8th & 9th March 2022):

1. Africa outlook 2022: which global, political, and economic factors are having the greatest impact on the continent’s growth trajectory?
2. Portfolio growth vs. portfolio preservation: how have criteria and appetite for African investments changed post-pandemic?
3. Balancing economic growth with fiscal responsibility: African sovereign debt outlook 2021/2022
4. Moving the needle on restructuring: what changes need to be implemented to create a robust market?
5. Can Sukuk offer African borrowers and issuers a route to diversifying funding and tapping new pools of capital?
6. Corporate funding and risk: how has the approach to capital raising and risk management changed (during and) post-pandemic?
7. Africa’s loan market under the microscope: unpacking supply, demand and the impact of COVID-19
8. Building back better: how is Africa’s burgeoning infrastructure pipeline going to be funded?
9. The rise of social infrastructure: how has the continent’s project pipeline evolved given the necessary “prioritisation” of healthcare?
10. Private sector boom: to what extent is private vs. public capital helping to accelerate growth of these sectors?

1. Weighing up the options: a closer look at SDG-linked products, how they compare and what is next for this (growing) market
2. Must-have or nice-to-have: how much emphasis are investors putting on E, S and G when investing in Africa?
3. ESG reporting 101: unpacking the (hidden) complexities around ESG frameworks and reporting standards
4. Green transition: how are hydrocarbon-rich economies and businesses incorporating ESG into their finances?

Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa 2022 Agenda

8th March 2022

09:05	Chairperson's opening remarks Speaker Kumeshen Naidoo Head: Debt Capital Markets Absa
09:10	Supporting GDP growth in the wake of COVID-19: What role is the National Treasury playing in moving the South African economy forward in 2022/23?  2022 under the microscope: Growth forecast and investment strategies outlined  Why continued development of the South African debt market is key to the country’s economic growth plans Weathering the storm: How is the National Treasury managing current economic challenges? Where do they see the biggest opportunities?  Speaker Dondo Mogajane Director General National Treasury, Republic of South Africa
09:30	Africa outlook 2022: Which global, political, and economic factors are having the greatest impact on the continent’s growth trajectory? How has recent currency instability across Africa impacted regional and country-specific macroeconomic forecasting? Which sectors are proving most resilient post-pandemic? Where is there potential for growth, and where is contraction? What impact will the increase in interest rates in Nigeria have on the country’s debt profile? To what extent are measures being taken to support Nigerian growth? Rising interest rates vs. Fed balance sheet contractions vs. fiscal expansion: what do changes to US monetary policy mean for African markets? How does this vary region-by-region? Moderator Goolam Ballim Chief Economist and Head of Research Standard Bank Speakers Nomvuyo Guma Acting DDG Economic Policy National Treasury, Republic of South Africa Daniel Kavishe Sub-Saharan Economist Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Dean Tyler Board Member & Head of Global Markets BancTrust
10:10	Balancing economic growth with fiscal responsibility: African sovereign debt outlook 2021/2022 Supporting GDP growth vs. deleveraging: how are governments striking a balance between borrowing to support economic growth and maintaining ratings by lowering fiscal deficits? Unpacking African sovereigns’ Eurobond success stories: how were sovereigns able to access this market during and post-pandemic? To what extent was timing key? Bonds vs. Loans vs. Sukuk, hard vs. local currency: which markets and methods are sovereigns using to finance themselves? Is the trend of moving away from the loan market (and towards bonds) here to stay? Why? How are sovereigns looking to restructure and/or refinance their existing debt obligations? Understanding the G20 DSSI: to what extent are sovereigns willing (and able) to use this framework to support their fiscal responsibility? Moderator Rizwan Kanji Partner Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP Speakers Leon Bezuidenhout Associate Director, Sovereign & IPF Ratings S&P Global Carl Chirwa Head of International Banking Bank One Arsène Dansou Head of Debt Management Office Ministry of Economy and Finance, Republic of Benin Patience Oniha Director-General Debt Management Office, Nigeria
11:10	Coffee and networking break
11:40	Corporate funding and risk: How has the approach to capital raising and risk management changed (during and) post-pandemic? Local vs. international, bonds vs. loans: where are/have corporates raising long term capital? How much has the decision-making behind which market to target been impacted by changes in FX, rates, commodity prices and ratings across the continent? Boosting local economies with local issuances: will we see a shift back to the international markets as we emerge from the pandemic, or are local market issuances here to stay? Do local markets provide sufficient (and sustainable) liquidity for corporates? The price is right: how does pricing compare in the local vs. international markets? How are corporates hedging themselves against FX and rate changes? The move from loans to bonds: how do corporates view both markets post-pandemic? How are they incorporating one (or both) into their 2022 financing strategies? Moderator Stewart Wakeman Managing Director & Head of International Finance (Africa) Mizuho Speakers Adrian Bain Director, EMEA Loans & Leverage Finance Citi Deepen Jhina General Manager, Capital, Investment & Funding MTN Group Nyiko Mageza Treasury Manager Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) Lwandi Nene Senior Transactor – Debt Capital Markets Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Jacques Piekarski Chief Financial Officer BUA Cement
12:40	Portfolio growth vs. portfolio preservation: How have criteria and appetite for African investments changed post-pandemic? Where does African credit fit within portfolios post-COVID19? Are current prices attracting investors back to the continent? Growth or preservation: are Portfolio Managers looking to increase their exposure to Africa or hold their positions? Which regions (and countries) have the most attractive levels of entry? To what extent has investor strategy and sentiment shifted post vs. pre-pandemic? What impact has the US Treasury curve had on investors’ concerns around Africa’s fiscal position? How has the reopening of the USD Eurobond market in Africa impacted international investor appetite for African credit and risk? How much of a challenge is FX convertibility when investing in local markets? Where are investors seeing the best opportunities in local vs. hard currency? Moderator Irina Sfeir Director, Debt Capital Markets SMBC Nikko Speakers Kojo Amoo-Gottfried Chief Investment Officer Black Stars Investments (BSI) Markus Bayer Head of CEE & Africa Debt Capital Markets MUFG Simon Howie Co-Head of South Africa & Africa Fixed Income Ninety One Aditya Kotibhaskar Head of Debt Capital Markets, Investment Banking Mashreqbank
13:50	Networking lunch sponsored by MUFG
14:50	Chairman's opening remarks Speaker Dalu Ajene Head: Coverage Rand Merchant Bank (RMB)
14:55	Africa’s loan market under the microscope: unpacking supply, demand and the impact of COVID-19 What impact has the pandemic had on banks’ distribution strategies? To what extent have their credit criteria changed post vs. pre-pandemic? Decreased borrower demand or increased bank caution: what are banks doing to address the imbalance of supply and demand in the loan market? How are they promoting confidence amongst clients? What alternative structures are banks now offering? How has the relationship and interaction between local, regional and international bank loan teams shifted post-pandemic? Has the retrenchment of international lenders opened the door for local and regional players to take the lead? Understanding the impact of LIBOR transition: how should banks be preparing themselves? Moderator Eric Zimny Managing Director, Co-Head of Corporate Origination, Loan Capital Markets, EMEA SMBC Speakers Narisa Balgobind Head of Africa Debt Absa Michael Fischer Director - Financial Institutions Africa KFW DEG Helen Mtshali Co-Head, Loan Syndications Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Benjamin Mugisha Chief Underwriting Officer African Trade Insurance Agency James Pearson Executive Vice President, Global Head of FI & NBFI Mashreqbank
16:05	Moving the needle on restructuring: What changes need to be implemented to create a robust market? What are the key elements of undertaking a successful restructuring? Where should a company start? What role are (and should) FIs be playing in helping a company restructure? Taking the lead: who are the advisors willing and able to support and guide companies through the process? What are the regulatory and legal challenges currently facing this market? Could a streamlining of this market help to resolve South African SOE liquidity complications? If so, how and to what extent? Moderator Matthew Pirnie Group Head of Ratings GCR Ratings Speakers Anthony Evens Head of Special Asset Management Absa Brandyn Lilley Investment Specialist Ninety One
16:45	Unpacking secondary market liquidity: Opportunities, challenges and next steps In what way has the South Africa secondary credit market improved? What extra measures (structural or otherwise) need to be taken to further increase liquidity? What role are electronic trading platforms playing to improve liquidity? How much take-up have they seen from the market, and how do they envisage the journey playing out over the coming 12-24 months? How much value do corporates place on secondary market liquidity? To what extent does it impact their funding strategies? Moderator Zine Misani Senior Trader, Structured Trading Absa Speakers Ian Norden Executive Director & head of Funding Solutions Addendum Financial Technologies Ryan Shillaw Head, Credit Trading Standard Bank Conrad Wood Head of FI Aluwani
17:25	Chairperson's closing remarks & Close of Day One

9th March 2022

09:15	Chairperson's opening remarks Speaker Jones Gondo Senior Research Analyst: Credit Nedbank CIB
09:20	Building back better: How is Africa’s burgeoning infrastructure pipeline going to be funded? To what extent are local banks, DFIs, multilaterals and ECAs taking the lead in the financing of African infrastructure vs. international banks? Who can provide long-term financing and on what terms? How much risk are banks willing and able to take on when it comes to these projects? DFIs, multilaterals and ECAs in the driving seat: a closer look at the alternative financing structures on offer The introduction of private debt and credit funds: to what extent will their role increase? What pricing, tenor and terms are they able to offer? Joining forces: could the opening up of the PPP market across Africa be the key to moving the continent’s critical infrastructure pipeline forward? What regulations and frameworks needs to be improved in order for this market to flourish? How much of a factor is funding projects in an “environmentally sustainable way” having on delivery and progress? Moderator James Doree Managing Director Lion's Head Global Partners Speakers Abraham Byanyima Executive, Treasury TDB Group Michele Dee Regional Head UK Export Finance Siby Diabira Regional Head, Southern Africa & Indian Ocean Proparco Timothy Ononiwu Chief Financial Officer Axxela Mohan Vivekanandan Group Executive: Origination and Coverage Development Bank of Southern Africa
10:30	The rise of social infrastructure: How has the continent’s project pipeline evolved given the necessary “prioritisation” of healthcare and affordable housing? Region-by-region, sector-by-sector: Which projects are taking priority in the midst of COVID-19, and which are being put on the back-burner? To what extent are developers and off-takers able to push forward with “traditional” project pipelines (power, road etc.)? How have these timelines changed, if at all? Healthcare infrastructure vs. healthcare capabilities: How does funding from private capital vs. multilaterals, ECAs and DFIs vary across these two areas? Unpacking affordable housing in Africa: What does the pipeline look like, who is investing, and how are these projects being financed? Moderator Christopher Marks Managing Director, Head of Emerging Markets, EMEA MUFG Speakers Lebowa Letsoalo Executive: Project Development Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) of South Africa Jason Lightfoot Portfolio Manager Futuregrowth Asset Management Palesa Mkhize Head, Affordable Housing Development Standard Bank Olukayode Pitan Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer Bank of Industry Palesa Ryan Coverage Head: Social Infrastructure Development Bank of Southern Africa
11:15	Coffee and networking break
11:40	Weighing up the options: A closer look at SDG-linked products, how they compare and what is next for this (growing) market How are prospective issuers approaching the green bond market? What are their motives for doing so? How does green vs. vanilla bond pricing stack-up? Has Benin’s SDG-linked bond set the benchmark and starting point for increased sovereign activity in this area? What needs to be done to promote increased issuances? To what extent do ESG-linked loans provide pricing benefits vs. green bonds? Moderator Nigel Beck Head of Sustainable Finance & ESG Advisory Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Speakers Banji Fehintola Senior Director, Head of Treasury & Financial Institutions Africa Finance Corporation Anneke Lund Sustainable Finance Executive Standard Bank Lucky Ncobela Group Treasurer Rand Water Arvana Singh Head: Sustainable Finance Solutions Nedbank
12:25	Must-have or nice-to-have: How much emphasis are investors putting on E, S and G when investing in Africa? What are investors looking for when it comes to green asset classes? What boxes needed to be ticked? How do investors balance E vs. S vs. G when talking about sustainability? To what extent do investors put emphasis on “use of proceeds” vs. “green instruments” when looking at ESG-related transactions? Moderator Wayne Frank Principal: Distribution Nedbank Speakers Melissa Moore Investment Analyst Futuregrowth Asset Management Ashok Parameswaran Founder & President Emerging Markets Investors Alliance
13:10	Networking lunch sponsored by MUFG
14:10	ESG reporting 101: Unpacking the (hidden) complexities around ESG frameworks and reporting standards What are the first steps that a company should take when embarking on their ESG journey? What are the most important aspects of existing frameworks that should be followed and/or noted? What can be learnt from previous successes (and obstacles) of African corporates who have implemented ESG into their business models? Following the crowd vs. paving your own way: Should Africa be looking towards “global” standards to improve ESG frameworks and reporting, or should the continent be looking towards forging its own standards to match its own rate of growth? Moderator Amanda Vainio Head of Sustainable Financing EU MUFG Speakers Omega Collocott Director and Lead Analyst, Corporate Ratings S&P Global Ilona Roodt Chief Financial Officer TUHF Ashleigh Sparrow Analyst, Sustainable Finance Solutions Nedbank CIB
14:55	Green transition: What does the Energy Transition mean for Africa, and how are businesses (particularly those that are hydrocarbon-rich) incorporating ESG into their finances? Balancing Africa’s growth and development imperative with climate change: How should trade-offs be approached? What are the greatest opportunities and risks surrounding the transition? How can sovereigns and corporates access transition finance? What criteria are the banks looking for? What alternative sources of capital are available? Prioritising spend: How are/can African economies balance costs associated with a Just Transition vs. other socio-economic demands? Private and public collaboration: How are these two sectors working together to fund Africa’s transition? How are corporates defining and creating an ESG policy? What tools are available for measuring ESG compliance? How does sustainable loan financing impact critical areas like oil and gas? What alternative support is available to encourage countries not to use their natural resources? Moderator Greg Fyfe Head of Sustainable Finance Standard Bank Speakers Guillaume Barberousse Head of FI Debt Group Proparco Heidi Barends Specialist Banking: Sustainable Finance Absa Mpati Makoa Environmental Manager SANRAL
15:40	End of Day Two & Close of conference

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN 2022

Angola, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, DRC, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Italy, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, UAE, UK, USA & Zambia.

ACCOMODATION

We have discounted hotel rates at the Mount Nelson Hotel, although please note that it is a 30 min walk/15 min drive from the CTICC – details below:

• Hotel: Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
• Rate: R7190 single/R7685 double, bed and breakfast
• Dates Available: From 6th-12th March
• To Book: Email gillian.slater@belmond.com stating that you are part of the Bonds & Loans Africa Group

COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES

GFC Media Group protocols:

• Upon entry to the event, all attendees will be required to produce either a vaccination certificate (2^nd dose at least 14 days ago), or a negative PCR test certificate (test taken within 72 hours of arriving at the event) or a certificate of having antibodies. Failure to do so will result in refused entry.
• We ask that individuals do not attend the event if they feel unwell, are experiencing any of the main COVID-19 symptoms or have recently come into contact with someone who has COVID-19.
• Masks are required to be worn at all times by everyone at the event, unless eating, drinking or speaking on stage (with minimum 2m distance between speaker and audience).
• Individuals are required to bring their own mask to the event.
• We ask that attendees maintain a safe physical distance of 1m apart from each other when moving about the event space and networking.

Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) protocols:

• Cape Town International Convention Centre requires all visitors to complete a COVID-19 Health Screening Form before entering the CTICC each day. For rapid entry please visit: https://covidscreen.co.za/cticcv on a mobile device that you will be bringing to the CTICC and complete the form in advance of arriving at the CTICC (max 6 hours before arrival). For those without their own mobile devices, tablets will be provided at the entrance of the CTICC. Please click here for the ‘Step by Step Guide’ to completing the form.
• All visitors will be subject to a temperature check via a no-contact thermometer.

Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Africa AWARDS 2022

About:

The Bonds & Loans Africa Awards Ceremony will be held on the evening of Wednesday 9th March 2022 at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.

The nominations for the Bonds & Loans Africa AWARDS 2021 and 2022 are now open. The 2021 Bonds & Loans Africa AWARDS was postponed due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. However, we are delighted to advise that the Bonds & Loans Africa AWARDS ceremony in 2022 will feature winners from both years – winners selected on performance in 2020 and 2021.

Since 2015, the Bonds & Loans Awards has been recognising the most innovative and ground-breaking deals from Sovereign, Corporate and Financial Institution issuers and borrowers.

Benefits of attending the AWARDS Ceremony:

• Access a highly exclusive event and senior industry-leading figures involved in the most innovative and ground-breaking deals from Sovereign, Corporate and Financial Institutions & Borrowers
• Build your network: limited numbers ensure guaranteed interaction and networking with a select group of the industry’s elite; all of our 2019/20 ceremonies sold out and proved a night to remember