Conference On Infrastructure Finance Set For Nairobi

Nairobi is set to host its inaugural edition of the East Africa Infrastructure Project Finance Conference on the 20 and 21 February 2019 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

This is a high level conference that seeks to explore mechanisms that can increase investment in infrastructure in the regional market through efficient structuring of infrastructure projects.

EAIPF conference is organised by Lean Africa Consultants Limited, a Kenyan firm that offers project finance and Public Private Partnership advisory services.

Johnson Mwawasi, the organiser’s chief executive, says the continent needs to package infrastructure project proposals efficiently in order to attract financing partners who can provide sustainable and longer term lending that will spur economic growth in the region.

The conference seeks to explore initiatives that will structure and strengthen partnerships between public and the private sectors to ensure delivery of successful infrastructure projects much faster instead of using the traditional foreign debt funding.

Previous studies have indicated that most lenders have delayed or not funded projects because most of them have not been properly thought out leaving huge risk exposures for the stakeholders involved.

The organisers allude that the private sector is known to bring efficiency and technological know-how in the delivery of signature projects.
ACCIONA, Platinum sponsors of the conference, say that they will showcase their expertise in the structuring, implementation and delivery of infrastructure projects through PPP model during the conference. The firm is among the top 20 infrastructure operators in the world and is already undertaking projects in the region.
The forum will bring together, among others, project lenders, project sponsors, insurance firms, contractors, regulators and government entities to brainstorm and share expertise on how to structure longer term and sustainable infrastructure finance facilities and mechanisms that will attract more investment in the region.
The conference aims to showcase the infrastructure opportunities, the challenges, the risks and how the region, jointly with multilateral agencies and other stakeholders, can mitigate the risk exposures so as to ensure optimal returns for the stakeholders in this sector.

The objectives of the conference include:

1. To build capacity on how to structure and enhance infrastructure project proposals so as to make them bankable.
2. To engage the banking fraternity on the need to model sustainable longer term finance facilities for infrastructure projects.
3. To explore mechanisms that can minimise and mitigate risks in infrastructure projects.
4. To create a forum through which the East African region can show case infrastructure project pipeline.
5. To increase investment in infrastructure through efficient structuring of infrastructure projects.
6. To explore possibilities of harmonising the region’s PPP framework so as to be able to sell regional projects to the private sector.

According to the organisers, EAIPF conference will host more than 200 delegates drawn from more than 50 entities across the continent. Some of the speakers include:

1. Mr. Johnson Kilangi: CEO & Founder, Lean Africa Consultants Limited, Kenya
2. Hon. Charles Hinga: Principal Secretary, State Department of Housing and Urban Development of Kenya
3. Ms. Judith Nyakawa: Ag. Director, Public Private Partnership Unit, National Treasury of Kenya
4. Ms. Allen Kagina: Executive Director, Uganda National Roads Authority, Uganda
5. Mr. Kefa Muga: Senior Economist, African Trade Insurance Agency, Kenya
6. Mr. Cheikh Tidiane; Underwriter, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency of World Bank, Senegal
7. Mrs. Collin Catherine: Head of East Africa Representation, European Investment Bank
8. Eng. Isaac Wanni: Director Network Planning and Engineering, Uganda National Roads Authority
9. Mr. Alberto Salamanca; Deputy Global Head of Business Development, Acciona Concessions, Spain
10. Dr. Joseph Witts; Deputy Managing Director, CRDB Bank Tanzania
11. Mr. Goodluck Nkini; Director of Corporate Banking, CRDB Bank Tanzania
12. Mr. Andrew Mbunda; Head of Corporate Banking, CRDB Bank Plc, Tanzania
13. Mr. Nzomo Mutuku: Chief Executive Officer, Retirement Benefits Authority of Kenya
14. Mr. Sameul Chasia: Regional Director East and Southern Africa, GuarantCo
15. Ms Bahati Morara: Business Development and Commercial Director, Nairobi Securities Exchange
16. Mr. Hosea Kili; Group Managing Director, CPF Financial Services, Kenya
17. Mr. Kenneth Kaniu; Chief Executive Officer, Britam Asset Managers, Kenya
18. Mr. George Bodo; Head of Research at Ecobank Capital
19. Dr. Andrew Njiinu; Senior Manager, Trade Finance at Gulf African Bank

The organisers are confident that the conference will be a strategic platform for the region to build capacity on efficient infrastructure project financing, structuring, evaluation and risk management. These skills are a pre-requisite to efficient packaging of infrastructure projects.

You can register online on the conference website www.eainfrafinance.co.ke or call +254 701 712 910 / +254 784 685 425 or email [email protected] to reserve a slot.