Liquid Telecommunication’s bond subscribed by DEG

As an anchor investor, DEG has supported the successful placement of a bond issued by the African fibre optic network operator Liquid Telecommunications on the international capital market. DEG is investing USD 25 million in the bond, which has a total volume of USD 620 million.

By raising the funds, the company stabilises and improves its current financial structure. In addition, the issuance improves liquidity for future investments.

The lack of information and communication technologies (ICT) is still a bottleneck to development in Africa. Liquid Telecommunication has built a 73,000km multicountry fibre optic network in sub-Saharan Africa to provide access to ICT in order to foster business innovation and development. It offers its network and services such as internet access, cloud-based solutions and cybersecurity to businesses, SMEs and individuals. Currently, about 150 million people are directly or indirectly connected to Liquid Telecommunication’s network.

With the help of the new funds, the company plans, for example, to build more than 5,000km of fibre optic network in South Africa, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo. By expanding, the company will be able to create around 150 new jobs in sub-Saharan Africa and more than 500 temporary jobs, in total.