Seen Here: Financing a more connected Africa. Noloyiso Mpanza, Executive Lead of Sustainable Finance at Standard Bank CIB, highlights the importance of purpose-driven banking, with the pioneering facility supporting telecommunications infrastructure that will bridge the digital divide and unlock opportunities for underserved communities across the continent. Photo Credit: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG – In a milestone for sustainable finance and Africa’s digital transformation, Standard Bank has successfully structured its first Social Documentary Credit Facility, providing US$29 million (approximately R520 million) in funding to telecommunications infrastructure company Helios Towers to accelerate digital connectivity across underserved communities on the continent.
The pioneering transaction represents a significant step in aligning trade finance with measurable social impact, supporting the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure while helping bridge Africa’s persistent digital divide.
Structured in accordance with the Loan Market Association’s Social Loan Principles, the facility will finance the procurement and importation of telecommunications equipment and services, enabling Helios Towers to strengthen mobile network coverage across several African markets.
Seen Here: Driving innovation where finance meets social impact. Benoit Samouilhan, Global Transaction Banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, says the landmark US$29 million Social Documentary Credit Facility demonstrates how innovative trade finance can accelerate digital connectivity while supporting sustainable economic development across Africa. Photo Credit: Supplied
Financing Digital Inclusion Across Africa
The funding will support Helios Towers’ ambitious infrastructure expansion programme while providing greater payment certainty to suppliers and improving the company’s working capital flexibility.
As one of Africa’s leading independent telecommunications tower operators, Helios Towers plays a critical role in enabling mobile network operators to extend reliable coverage into rural and previously underserved communities.
The new facility will accelerate the construction and expansion of telecommunications towers, improve network densification and enhance mobile connectivity in remote regions where reliable digital infrastructure remains limited.
Beyond improving communications, the investment is expected to unlock broader socio-economic opportunities by enabling better access to education, healthcare, financial services, entrepreneurship and digital commerce.
Innovation Meets Sustainable Finance
The transaction also marks an important innovation for Standard Bank’s Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) division, becoming the institution’s first Documentary Credit Facility specifically structured within a sustainable finance framework.
According to Benoit Samouilhan, Global Transaction Banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, the deal demonstrates how financial innovation can generate meaningful commercial and social outcomes simultaneously.
“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.”
He added that the partnership highlights how modern financial solutions can drive infrastructure development while creating lasting social impact.
Seen Here: Building the infrastructure that powers Africa’s digital future. Alex Carter, Group Finance Director at Helios Towers, says the strategic partnership with Standard Bank provides the flexibility to expand telecommunications infrastructure, strengthen network connectivity and bring reliable digital access to millions of people across Africa. Photo Credit: Supplied
Connecting the Unconnected
Across Africa, reliable internet and mobile connectivity continue to shape economic participation, education, healthcare delivery and financial inclusion.
Despite rapid technological progress, millions of people—particularly those living in rural and remote communities—still experience limited access to reliable telecommunications services.
By expanding tower infrastructure into underserved markets, the facility aims to reduce these connectivity gaps while supporting governments’ broader digital transformation agendas.
Improved mobile coverage also enables businesses to operate more efficiently, strengthens financial inclusion through mobile banking, and creates new opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Long-Term Partnership Driving Growth
For Helios Towers, the financing provides greater flexibility to continue investing in essential infrastructure across its operating markets.
Group Finance Director Alex Carter said reliable digital infrastructure remains fundamental to Africa’s long-term economic future.
“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.”
He also highlighted the value of the company’s longstanding relationship with Standard Bank in supporting its expansion strategy.
Sustainable Finance with Measurable Impact
The transaction further reinforces Standard Bank’s growing leadership in sustainable finance, demonstrating how banking can contribute directly to addressing Africa’s development priorities.
According to Noloyiso Mpanza, Executive Lead of Sustainable Finance, Transaction Banking at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, the facility reflects the bank’s commitment to delivering purpose-driven financial solutions.
“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 with Helios Towers in tackling the digital divide through connecting the unconnected.”
Banking Beyond Traditional Finance
As environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles continue reshaping global financial markets, transactions such as this illustrate the growing role financial institutions play in supporting inclusive economic development.
Rather than simply financing infrastructure, the US$29 million facility is expected to create lasting social value by improving access to digital services, enabling economic participation and strengthening connectivity for millions of people across Africa.
For Standard Bank, the landmark agreement signals a new chapter in sustainable trade finance—one where capital is not only measured by financial returns but also by its ability to improve lives, expand opportunity and power Africa’s digital future.
