Dubai, 26 January 2017 

Dentons advised Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a leading pan-African multilateral development finance institution and project developer, on its inaugural issuance of US$150 million trust certificates (Sukuk) due 2020, which completed on 24 January 2017. In addition to being AFC's maiden Sukuk issuance, the transaction represented the first Sukuk to be issued by an African supranational entity. The Sukuk were offered to international investors outside of the United States on a private placement basis.

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC acted as sole global co-ordinator, together with Rand Merchant Bank (a division of FirstRand Bank Limited) and MUFG Securities EMEA plc as joint lead managers on the issuance of the Sukuk.

Dentons capital markets partner, Alex Roussos, commented, "We are delighted to have advised AFC on this landmark transaction. It's a very significant achievement for the Corporation and all parties involved.  The speed and efficiency with which the transaction was executed was one of the main reasons behind its success. The involvement of Dubai based advisers and the use of this particular Murabaha structure is further testament to the growing importance of Dubai as an Islamic finance hub for Africa".

Senior Counsel, Raj Kulasingam commented, "We are thrilled to have worked with the AFC team on this project. It's a great transaction that showcases the continuing appetite and interest in Africa from investors in the Middle East and the strength of the Dentons offering in the Middle East and Africa".

The Dentons team was led by partner Alex Roussos, assisted by senior associate Beene Ndulo and associate Sana Siddiqui in Dubai. Raj Kulasingam, in London, and Neil Cuthbert, in Dubai, participated as the key relationship partners at Dentons for the AFC.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Charlene Singh
Business Development & Marketing Manager 
Dubai
+971 4 402 0870
charlene.singh@dentons.com

Kerry Schultz
Senior Business Development & Marketing  Executive 
Dubai
+971 4 402 0872
kerry.schultz@dentons.com

About Dentons
Dentons is the world's largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Labs and the Nextlaw Global Referral Network. Dentons' polycentric approach and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work.  www.dentons.com

© Press Release 2017