Blended Knowledge

Secondary markets are a vital part of bridging the infrastructure funding gap in emerging and frontier markets. Bond instruments often lock investors in for many years, but secondary markets add a layer of flexibility. By making it easier for market participants to buy and sell loans or bonds, we can ensure that money flows better to where it’s most needed.In this episode we find out how secondary opportunities within capital markets deepen the pool of market participants, and how they have been implemented in a variety of projects. We learn about securitisations, an additional market mechanism used to enhance secondary market liquidity. And we find out why you can’t say you’ve fully developed a capital market until you’ve generated secondary liquidity.Your hosts are Marjolein van Kampen and Hector Santos, and on the podcast are:Layth Al-Falaki, CEO GuarantCoJonathan Neo, Associate Director GuarantCoBryan Woon, Head of Structuring and Distribution, Bayfront InfrastructureAla Ahmad, CEO MetLife BangladeshFind out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/

New and innovative infrastructure projects take a long time to get off the ground, often 2 years or more. But with the pace of development required to improve the lives of people across Africa and Asia, those timescales aren’t feasible. So how do we provide this much-needed, sustainable infrastructure faster?Replicability is the key. In this episode we explore how replicating an infrastructure deal can save time and increase trust and buy-in for future transactions. We learn about the many different ways a project can be replicated. And we hear the successes of companies that have partnered with and replicated deals alongside GuarantCo.Your hosts are Marjolein van Kampen and Mo Massoud, and on the podcast are:Layth Al-Falaki, CEO GuarantCoPierre Marouby, CEO GreenYellow Indian OceanEdward Kirathe, Founder and CEO Acorn HoldingsFind out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/

Institutional investors are essential to closing the infrastructure funding gap. But right now they contribute a tiny fraction of financing to infrastructure projects in low- and middle-income countries. So how do we change that? In this episode we explore how blended finance structures and guarantees can unlock this financing gap.Your hosts are Marjolein van Kampen and Lucinda O’Gorman, and on the podcast are:Nishant Kumar, Managing Director Asia, GuarantCoAnh Nguyen, Client Relationship Manager, GuarantCoSophie Gaze, Senior Analyst, GuarantCoFind out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/

Using innovative credit solutions has been in GuarantCo’s DNA since closing its first transaction in 2005. As we continue to pioneer, we are helping to boost capital market capabilities and accelerate much needed development impact for the people who need it most. This episode focuses on the range of innovative and well-established credit solutions GuarantCo provides and hear from the companies that are utilising them to create impact locally.Your hosts are Marjolein van Kampen and James Miller and on the podcast are:Hugo Duhil de Benaze, Director Structured Finance Group Sub-Saharan Africa at Société GénéraleSurabhi Mathur Visser, Chief Investment Officer at GuarantCoKwame Asare, Client Relationship Manager at GuarantCoRaphael de Muizon, Client Relationship Manager at GuarantCoFind out more at guarantco.com and https://societegenerale.africa/en/societe-generale-africa/grow-with-africa/

Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen impressive and rapid growth in Vietnam’s local currency corporate bond market, with much more potential still to be unlocked. Thanks to a number of catalytic and first-of-its-kind transactions, GuarantCo’s contribution to the growth of the bond market is helping to accelerate infrastructure development in the country. And in this episode, we learn about a number of those impactful transactions. Your hosts are Marjolein van Kampen and Anh Nguyen, and on the podcast are: Ngoc Tran, Group Chief Executive Officer, Nam Long Investment CorporationCanh Anh Nguyen, Head of Treasury, EVNFinanceNishant Kumar, Managing Director Asia, GuarantCo Find out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/

Local currency bonds are fast becoming a crucial way of supporting infrastructure project development in lower income countries across Africa and Asia. In this episode, we discuss the rapid growth of the bond market, why it’s become such an attractive option, and how bonds address the funding deficit in lower income countries. We also hear from PRAN Agro and Acorn Holdings, two companies that have benefited from bonds issued by GuarantCo. Contributing to the podcast are:Uzma Chowdhury, Corporate Finance Director at PRAN AgroRaghav Gandhi, Managing Director at Acorn HoldingsLayth Al-Falaki, Chief Executive Officer at GuarantCoPhil Skinner, Managing Director, Global Execution Team at GuarantCoAngella Olobo, Associate Director, Global Execution Team at GuarantCoFind out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/

Given the scale of the infrastructure funding gap throughout Africa and Asia, it will take a variety of synergistic solutions to sustainably address this funding shortfall. One such solution, that could hasten the closing of this gap quicker than any other, is the increased use of guarantees to support infrastructure project financing. Due to the flexibility of guarantee products, the range of solutions they provide and the long-term benefits that stem from guarantee use, guarantee providers could be in a unique position to unlock much-needed infrastructure project financing. Contributing to the podcast are:Layth Al-Falaki, CEO GuarantCoEmily Bushby, COO/CFO GuarantCoJules Samain, MD Africa GuarantCoNishant Kumar, MD Asia GuarantCoFind out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/

According to the Africa Development Bank, Africa’s infrastructure requirements range between USD 130 and USD 170 billion with an infrastructure funding gap of USD 68 to USD 108 billion. These figures demonstrate the critical need to provide essential infrastructure to local people to ensure long-term economic growth. At the core of this issue is the lack of technical capabilities which GuarantCo, supported by PIDG Technical Assistance funding, is addressing by organising capacity building workshops across Africa. In this episode we hear from stakeholders, partners and participants of the events who explore the transformational impact of capacity building. Contributing to the podcast areEdith Jiya, CEO Old Mutual MalawiMark Mikwamba, Managing Director Old Mutual Investment GroupEsnat Suleman, Head of Treasury and Investment Banking FDH BankAndrew Mbunda, Principal Relationship Manager at CRDB BankJules Samain, MD Africa GuarantCoSarah Siliya, Business Development Manager Africa GuarantCoFind out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/

The need for sustainable infrastructure in Vietnam is rapidly growing. Whilst the conditions are ripe for the growth of green and climate instruments in the country, local stakeholders continue to have reservations about its necessity. In July 2021, GuarantCo, through the PIDG Institute, organised a two-day virtual Vietnam green capital market capability building event, funded by PIDG TA and facilitated by Climate Bonds Initiative to address the concerns and demystify this new proposition.Contributing to the podcast areNishant Kumar, MD Asia at GuarantCoJoywin Mathew, Partner Capital Markets and Structured Investments at DLA PiperMarika Stocker, Senior Manager of Sustainable Finance Solutions at SustainalyticsCedric Rimaud, ASEAN Programme Manager at Climate Bonds InitiativeMarco Serena, Head of Sustainable Development Impact at PIDGFind out more at guarantco.com/blended-knowledge/