Standard Bank Provides First US$29 Million Social Documentary Credit Facility to Helios Towers
Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets and market capitalisation, is proud to have partnered with Helios Towers (HT) to provide a US$29 million Social Documentary Credit Facility. This transaction marks Standard Bank’s first Documentary Credit Facility structured in a Sustainable Finance format.
The facility will support the procurement and importation of telecommunications infrastructure and related services across Africa. It will also provide payment certainty to their suppliers, while supporting HT working capital requirements and infrastructure expansion programme.
Structured in accordance with the Loan Market Association’s Social Loan Principles, the financing is designed to promote digital connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure development in underserved markets, helping HT further expand its footprint and enhance mobile network coverage and connectivity across the continent.
HT operates one of Africa’s leading independent telecommunications tower platforms, enabling mobile network operators to extend coverage efficiently across multiple markets. The facility supports the expansion of tower infrastructure and services, increased network densification and improved connectivity in underserved markets and remote regions across the African continent. Driving digital inclusion and tackling the digital divide while supporting economic growth and socio-economic development.
“This transaction demonstrates the power of innovation in trade finance. By combining a first-to-market Social Documentary Credit Facility with a cross-border funding solution, Standard Bank has supported Helios Towers growth ambitions while helping extend digital connectivity to underserved communities across Africa. It is a powerful example of how finance can drive both commercial success and positive social impact,” says Benoit Samouilhan, Global Transaction Banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB).
This facility enables positive social impact by increasing and improving network coverage and connectivity in some of the world’s most remote regions. Driving digital inclusion that supports economic growth and socio-economic development by improving communication and business opportunities for communities and enterprises across HT’s operating markets. “Reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to Africa’s future growth and development. This facility provides us with the flexibility and certainty needed to support our ongoing infrastructure investments while advancing our mission of expanding connectivity across the continent. We value our longstanding relationship with Standard Bank and look forward to building on this partnership,” says Alex Carter, Group Finance Director at Helios Towers.
The transaction showcases the power of collaboration across Standard Bank, with teams working seamlessly to deliver a practical, client-focused solution.
“This transaction demonstrates Standard Bank’s ability to deliver tailored trade finance solutions that promote telecommunications infrastructure development and digital inclusion across the African continent. It reflects our role in partnering HT in tackling the digital divide through connecting the unconnected,” adds Noloyiso Mpanza, Executive Lead of Sustainable Finance, Transaction Banking at Standard Bank CIB.