Multinational - COMESA Regional Trade and Project Finance Support Facility - Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB)

The proposed project concerns a US$ 50 million Trade Finance Line of Credit (TFLoC) to Eastern and Southern African Trade Development Bank (TDB). TDB was founded in 1985 as a multilateral, treaty-based financial institution with international immunities and privileges. It was conceived as the financing arm of the Preferential Trade Area for the Eastern and Southern African States, which was later transformed into Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). TDB is a development finance institution (DFI), with whom the AfDB has an existing relationship spanning over 20 years. The facility is part of a US$ 300 million funding package to Eastern and Southern African Trade Development Bank (TDB), comprising US$ 200 million unfunded Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) and US$ 50 million long-term Line of Credit (LoC). The TFLOC will have a tenor of 3.5 years.The proposed TF package will enhance TDB’s capacity to provide trade confirmation services to Issuing Banks in the COMESA region and beyond. This will complement the AfDB’s support to TDB on the long-term project finance front. The facility’s trade finance component will enhance the TDB’s confirmation capacity, support its rapidly expanding forfeiture business, and help it become a globally acceptable confirming bank.