IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has launched a programme that aims to raise USD5 billion from global institutional investors to modernise infrastructure in emerging markets over the next five years.
The new platform will look to open up a new stream of capital flows to improve power, water, transportation and telecommunications systems in developing countries.
The initiative, called MCPP Infrastructure, builds on IFC’s Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program, a loan-syndications initiative that enables third-party investors to participate passively in IFC’s senior loan portfolio. In its first phase, the programme allocated USD3 billion from the People’s Bank of China across 70 deals in less than two years.
The first partnership under the programme was signed with the global insurance company Allianz. Under the agreement, Allianz intends to invest USD500 million, which will be channelled into IFC debt financing for infrastructure projects in emerging markets. IFC is also in advanced discussions with Eastspring Investments, the Asian asset management business of Prudential, for a commitment of USD500 million. Similar discussions are being conducted with AXA, also for a commitment of USD500 million.
MCPP Infrastructure is designed for institutional investors seeking to increase their exposure to emerging-markets infrastructure. IFC will originate, approve, and manage the portfolio of loans that will mirror IFC’s own portfolio in infrastructure. It will do so in a manner agreed upfront with its partner investors, always subject to the overall governance of the platform.
“Modern infrastructure is essential for economic growth and lasting prosperity,” says IFC executive vice president and CEO Philippe Le Houérou (pictured). “Yet a huge investment gap exists in this sector—totalling trillions of dollars a year in emerging markets alone. MCPP Infrastructure marks a breakthrough in the search for large-scale financing solutions to the challenges of development. It is a key building block in the global effort to move from billions to trillions in development finance.”
Oliver Bäte, CEO of Allianz SE, says: “We work to ensure that our activities are profitable and sustainable. We create long-term value by embedding sustainability in our core business. The partnership with IFC and our co-investment in infrastructure is a perfect example how Allianz can provide thought leading investment expertise to support the economic development of emerging countries as well as serving the interest of our customers.”
With expected support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), IFC will provide a limited first-loss guarantee on the investments to meet the risk-reward profile that institutional investors require.
"We are in the process of finalising a model where Sida's guarantee instrument can catalyse private capital for sustainable infrastructure investments in developing countries,” says Marie Ottosson, Sida’s acting director-general. “This innovative partnership demonstrates how we can work together to reach the Sustainable Development Goals."
