The fund’s primary purpose is to promote the development of local currency capital markets in Africa by giving investors access to Pan African local currency government bonds through a transparent, cost effective and liquid vehicle. African local currency debt is a fast-growing asset class, the market capitalization of which reached almost US$1 trillion in August 2022. Based on USD total return, the asset class has outperformed its global fixed income peers, including US Treasuries, US Investment Grade Bonds, US High Yield and USD Emerging Markets over a 1-year, 3-year and 5-year period. The fund’s cumulative USD total return as at 31st August 2022 was 27.6% and 51.6% in BWP. 

 

Stefan Nalletamby, Director of the African Development Bank’s Financial Sector Development Department, said: “This listing on the BSE is a very positive development as the local asset status of the fund will enable Botswana’s institutional investors to invest in the fund as part of their domestic allocations. This listing aligns with our mandate to develop capital markets products across our Regional Member Countries.” 

 

Rony Lam, Chief Executive Officer - MCB Capital Markets, commented: “The secondary listing of the ADBF on the BSE is another important milestone in the evolution of the fund. We are confident that the strong performance track record and dual listing of the ADBF will attract further interest from investors in the African local currency fixed income asset class.” 

 

Abhimanyu Yadav, Head of Fixed Income and Currencies at MCB Capital Markets, commented: “We are excited with our first cross-listing across African exchanges for the ADBF and recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication by various teams in bringing this to fruition. This is an important achievement, in line with our partnership with the AfDB to develop and improve African capital markets and provide greater transparency and access for investors to them.”

 

About MCB Capital Markets

 

MCB Capital Markets is the investment banking, asset management and proprietary investment arm of MCB Group, the largest banking group in Mauritius. The company provides corporate finance advisory, asset management, private equity, securities and registry services. Based in Mauritius, the team works with clients wishing to start and/or grow their operations in Africa and helps them develop solutions that meet their financing, strategic and investment objectives. Learn more about MCB Capital Markets here

 

About MCB Investment Management 

 

MCB Investment Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of MCB Capital Markets. MCBIM manages assets on behalf of a range of institutional investors, including pension funds, corporates, insurance companies and other types of financial institutions. The company has dedicated Fixed Income and Equities teams and is increasingly recognized in the industry for its Africa-focused investment strategies. For more information on MCBIM, click here

 

About the African Development Bank 

 

The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information, click here