Project description
On June 12, 2014, MIGA issued a guarantee of $180 million covering an equity investment by Energy Cameroon Holding B.V. of the Netherlands in ENEO Cameroon. MIGA’s coverage is for a period of up to eight years against the risks of transfer restriction, war and civil disturbance, and breach of contract.[1]
The project involves the acquisition of AES Corporation’s share, and subsequent investment into, AES Sonel in Cameroon. Prior to the acquisition, AES Sonel was owned 56 percent by AES and 44 percent by the government of Cameroon. AES Sonel holds the electricity transmission and distribution concessions for the entire country, servicing about 800,000 customers, as well as a generation concession that covers about 933 megawatts of the existing generation (mostly hydropower).
Energy shortages and the high cost of electricity have slowed growth in Cameroon for the past 15 years, with an estimated loss in GDP growth of one to two percent each year. According to the World Bank’s 2007 Investment Climate Assessment for Cameroon, two-thirds of manufacturing firms cite power deficiencies as a constraint to doing business, leading to losses as high as five percent of production value on average.
The investment will help AES Sonel expand and enhance the electricity distribution network, primarily by replacing poles, extending electricity service to new (unserved) areas, and reducing outages. These investments will increase the reliability of the current service and access to electricity, which will reduce revenue losses in the sector. The investor will provide additional training to staff, allowing them to leverage Actis’ international experience in the sector.
MIGA’s support for this investment is aligned with the Agency’s strategic priorities of supporting investments into complex infrastructure projects and countries eligible for concessional financing from the International Development Association.
[1] MIGA has extended the guarantee until June 11, 2029, effective January 31, 2022.
