Absa And UK Export Finance Partner To Unlock $100 Million In Trade And Growth Opportunities Across Africa
Absa Bank Limited, through its Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) division, and UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency, today announced a strategic partnership that will establish a $100 million UKEF-backed financing programme to support African businesses purchasing UK goods and services.
By combining Absa’s deep African presence and client relationships with UKEF’s export finance expertise and government-backed guarantees, the partnership is designed to expand access to funding, facilitate trade between Africa and the United Kingdom, and support economic development across multiple African markets. It will also provide African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporates with access to competitively priced, long-tenor financing backed by UKEF’s sovereign guarantee framework.
The programme marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Absa and UKEF, following extensive engagement, lender onboarding, and collaboration since 2025. A key step in the partnership is Absa’s successful onboarding as a UKEF-supported lending partner. This enables the bank to provide a scalable financing platform for clients seeking to procure UK-origin goods and services, while benefiting from enhanced risk-sharing structures and improved access to international capital.
Unlike a single transaction, the $100 million headroom programme creates an ongoing financing platform capable of supporting multiple qualifying transactions across sectors such as power, infrastructure and agriculture, helping businesses invest in productive assets and growth opportunities.
Theuns Ehlers, Head: Resource & Project Finance at Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, said:
“Access to affordable capital for investment in African businesses and infrastructure remains critical for economic development across the continent. Absa’s on-the-ground presence in many of these markets, together with the bank’s deep understanding of its clients’ financing requirements, puts it in an ideal position to unlock value for its clients by providing financing solutions in partnership with UKEF. The partnership demonstrates the bank’s commitment to unlocking innovative financing solutions that support trade, infrastructure development and economic growth across Africa.”
Tim Reid, UKEF CEO said:
“UKEF’s onboarding of banking lender Absa marks a meaningful step forward in our commitment to connecting African businesses with the goods, services and expertise the UK has to offer.
“A $100 million package of this kind demonstrates what is possible when government-backed finance works hand in hand with leading international commercial banks. By combining Absa’s extensive presence and relationships across the continent, with UKEF’s financing and guarantee capabilities, we are creating lasting opportunities for trade and growth both across Africa and in the UK.”
The programme is expected to deliver meaningful economic and developmental benefits by enabling businesses to access equipment, technology, and services that support productivity, job creation, and infrastructure delivery. It also strengthens trade ties between Africa and the United Kingdom by making financing more accessible and efficient for eligible transactions.
For Absa, the partnership reinforces its role as a strategic banking partner for clients seeking export-linked financing solutions across Africa. For UKEF, it expands the reach and impact of its export finance offering through a leading African financial institution with a strong continental footprint.
UKEF is supporting businesses and actively providing finance options for developing and emerging markets, creating benefits for communities overseas and in the UK.
By 2029, UKEF aims to back £10 billion of finance in low- and middle-income countries, supporting sustainable infrastructure, clean growth and economic development in the countries that need it most, while securing vital export wins for British businesses.
Together, Absa and UKEF aim to support a broader range of businesses, unlock new trade opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development outcomes across the African continent.
About Absa Corporate and Investment Banking
Absa Corporate and Investment Banking provides integrated banking, financing, advisory, markets and risk management solutions to corporates, financial institutions, governments and state-owned enterprises across Africa.
About UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department. It advances prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing so sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer. In 2025/26, UKEF provided over £11 billion in loans, guarantees and insurance to help UK companies export and grow, supporting up to 85,000 jobs and contributing up to £6.4 billion to the economy.