KENYA – The government of Kenya has injected an additional Kshs1 billion (US$9.2 million) to become the biggest shareholder in the Pan African housing finance firm, Shelter Afrique.
The additional stake now takes Kenya’s shareholding to 18.72 percent from 14.87 percent.
Announcing the investment, Transport, Infrastructure and Housing Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the released amount is the first tranche of the US$26.9 million Kenya pledged under the 2017 capital call agreement to the institution.
The East African nation’s recent contribution brings the total amount received in additional capital in the last few years to a total of US$92 million.
”I am happy to report that Kenya has fully met the capital call obligations of 2013 to the tune of US$16.2 million,” Macharia said.
Macharia who chaired the company’s 39th AGM Bureau said Kenya was pleased with the rapid turnaround of the company which posted a profit in 2020 of US$1.85 million and pledged further support.
Since its inception, Shelter Afrique has financed 114 projects in Kenya and approved financing in excess of US$225 million.
The contribution moves Kenya’s shareholding further ahead of Nigeria and Africa Development Bank which now own 13.71 percent and 13.25 percent, respectively.
Shelter Afrique is jointly owned by 44 African governments including Kenya, the African Development Bank and African Re-Insurance Corporation.
The mortgage firm is targeting an improved balance sheet position to boost its return to the corporate bond debt market as it seeks to prop up project financing.
The firm was last in the corporate bond market in 2013 with a five-year issue which it defaulted due to financial hurdles that saw it sink into a loss position.
This forced the firm to write to the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) seeking permission to restructure US$50 million of its debt to avoid a possible default.
The mortgage financier listed US$50 million five-year medium-term unsecured note on the NSE in 2013 with a September 28, 2018, maturity date with one tranche of US$42.3 million having a coupon rate of 12.75 percent while the other US$7.7 million was priced at 11 percent.
“The contribution moves Kenya’s shareholding further ahead of Nigeria and Africa Development Bank which now own 13.71 percent and 13.25 percent, respectively”
In 2020, the firm announced plans to unveil ‘class C shareholders’ which include institutions drawn from outside the continent including sovereign countries and multilateral lenders such as the French Development Agency (AFD).
Apart from Kenya, the mortgage institution received additional capital contributions in 2021 from Mali, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Swaziland, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking in Nairobi, Shelter Afrique’s CEO Andrew Chimphondah thanked Kenya for its unrelenting financial and diplomatic support that has seen the company achieve its turnaround plan in time.
“We are grateful to the Kenya government for its continued support and the importance it has placed on affordable housing,” Chimphondah said
In addition to Kenya’s contribution, the company received additional capital contributions from Mali (US$2,06 million), Rwanda (US$1.1 million), Uganda (US$0.08 million), Togo (US$0.58 million), Swaziland (US$0.32 million), Ivory Coast (US$0.57 million), and Democratic Republic of Congo (US$0.5 million).
‘The amount brings the total additional capital receipts to US$18.02 million within the last six months of 2021.
Shelter Afrique shareholders signed up to recapitalize the company by way of additional equity subscriptions in the capital calls of 2013 and 2017.
The company recently invested US$2 million equity into the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Companies (KMRC).
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