The African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) in today Lagos met with leading Nigerian investors to push for strong participation in the Bank’s $300million equity offering, for which it is using depositary receipts backed by its Class “D” shares.

The depositary receipts, which will be listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, and is being managed by SBM Asset Managers, as lead arranger, will open Afreximbank shareholding to the investor public, and will mark the first time a supranational bank is issuing depositary receipts through an African stock exchange.

The issuance also represents an opportunity for Afreximbank to diversify its shareholder base by enabling investors in Africa and beyond, who have not yet invested in the Bank to do so.

Afreximbank is aiming to raise between $100million and $300million through the depositary receipts issuance, as part of its target to mobilise up to $1billion in equity from new and existing investors over the next five years.

President of Afreximbank, Dr. Benedict Oramah, told investors that the issuance of the depositary receipts was to enhance the Bank’s capitalisation so as to significantly narrow the trade financing gap in Africa, which is currently estimated at $120billion annually, and to meet the strategic objective of growing intra-African trade.

He noted that Afreximbank had consistently delivered development impact in its member countries, including Nigeria where virtually every banking institution had benefited from its support.

Kee Chong Li Kwong Wing, Chairman of SBM Group, said that the decision to use Mauritius for the depositary receipts issue took into account the country’s highly developed financial services system and its experience in similar investment drives, including the major role it played in channeling billions of dollars in investment into India following the opening up of that country.

Mr. Li stated that, as part of its support for the Afreximbank depositary receipts issue, the Government of Mauritius planned to grant permanent residency to investors putting in up to $500,000. The minimum investment amount is $30,000.

Among guests at the event were many of Nigeria’s top business leaders, investors and public officials, including Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group; Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; former Gov. Donald Duke of Cross River State; a representative of the Oba of Lagos; and many others.

Afreximbank’s shareholders are a four-tier mix of public and private entities, with Class “A”, constitute of African states, African central banks, and African public institutions; Class “B”, made up of African financial institutions and African private investors. Class “C”, constitute shares held by non-African investors, mostly international banks and export credit agencies; and Class “D”, under which fully paid shares can be held by any investor.