By Aliyu Galadima
Sahara Energy Resource Limited has closed a $225m unsecured, committed Revolving Credit Facility ,RCF, receiving strong backing from Afreximbank and a syndicate of 19 leading international and regional financial institutions.
According to Sahara’s media team, the RCF was significantly oversubscribed, reflecting the depth of support from both new and returning banking partners.
The funds will bolster the company’s financial flexibility, enhance liquidity, and support ongoing trade finance activities, working capital needs, and broader corporate purposes across its global energy operations.
The financing round drew participation from a diverse pool of lenders. Initial Book running Mandated Lead Arrangers ,BMLAs, included ING Bank N.V., UBS Switzerland AG, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking ,CIB, Banque Internationale de Commerce – BRED ,Suisse, SA, and the African Export-Import Bank ,Afreximbank, which played a prominent role in anchoring the facility.
New banking partners in the syndicate include First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, Commercial Bank of Dubai PSC, and ABSA Bank Limited, all joining as BMLAs.
Other key participants were Nedbank Limited ,London Branch, and Arab Banking Corporation SA, which came on board as Lead Arranger and Arranger, respectively.
Several banks that participated in Sahara’s inaugural $175m RCF in 2024 reaffirmed their commitment. These include Standard Bank ,South Africa, and Ghana International Bank as BMLAs; Banque de Commerce et de Placements S.A. ,BCP, CA Indosuez SwitzerlandlxLtd., Ecobank ,EBI SA, Paris, and Société Générale at the Mandated Lead Arranger level; while Bank of China ,Geneva Branch),llll Union des Banques Arabes et Françaises (Yuba,, and Arab Bank Corporation SA recommitted as Arrangers.
The structuring roles within the facility were equally distributed. ING Bank N.V. acted as Bookrunner, Documentation Agent, and Coordinator; Natixis took on the role of Bookrunner Information Memorandum Bank; UBS Switzerland AG served as Facility Agent; and Afreximbank also acted as Bookrunner, highlighting its central position in the transaction.
Commenting on the facility, Chief Financial Officer of Sahara Energy Resource Limited, Nicolas Mignot said the company was pleased with the breadth and depth of support received from its banking partners.
“The oversubscription of this facility is a testament to the strength of our relationships, the resilience of our business model, and the continued trust in Sahara’s growth strategy”,he stated.
Head of Trade Commodity Finance Switzerland for Commodity Merchant Clients at ING Bank, Francois Broussard described the transaction as a strategic milestone.
“This successful refinancing and increase of their RCF reflects the quality of the platform Sahara has built and the trust it has cultivated among its banking relationships. The facility enhances Sahara’s liquidity and supports its compelling growth journey”.
The $225m transaction follows Sahara’s successful inaugural $175m RCF in 2024 and marks a further step in its commitment to operational excellence, strategic financial management, and expansion across the global energy value chain.
The company said the new financing will contribute to energy security, enhance environmental sustainability, and strengthen its ability to navigate a dynamic global market environment.
With the support of Afreximbank and other prominent financial institutions, Sahara Energy is well-positioned to continue delivering on its mission of responsibly bringing energy to life across Africa and beyond.
