CBN to launch N15trn infrastructure fund October
By Rasaq Adebayo
The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that InfraCorp Plc, the N15 trillion Infrastructure Fund meant to boost funding for capital projects would be launched in October.
The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the annual banking and finance conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
He said that the project, which was conceptualised by the CBN alongside African Finance Corporation and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, will help to address the challenge of infrastructure deficit in the country.
He said, “In this regard, I am pleased to announce that InfraCorp, the infrastructure company being created by the CBN, African Finance Corporation and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority to raise N15trillion, will be unveiled in October, 2021.
“InfraCorp would enable the use of mostly private capital to support infrastructure investment that will have a multiplier effect on growth across critical sectors.
“The purpose of the N15trillion being raised is to address some of our infrastructure needs, while providing reasonable returns to investors.
“We believe this well-structured fund can act as a catalyst for growth in the medium and the long run. The support of the banking community will be important in achieving this objective.”
The CBN Governor also noted that Nigerian banks have become not only strong and resilient, but have also carved a good niche in the world.
To consolidate on the growth and resilience of Nigerian Banks in the last decade, he said that the Central Bank, will, in the next 12 months be establishing the Nigerian International Financial Centre.
The NIFC, according to him will act as an international gateway for Capital and investments, driven by technology and payment system infrastructure.
This new financial hub, he noted, will curate local and international banks to make them global champions.
He said the NIFC will be a 24/7 Financial centre that will complement London, New York and Singapore financial centers and enable an acceleration of Nigeria’s home grown initiatives such as Infracorp Plc.
The NIFC, he noted, will also complement the CBN’s initiatives on the Nigerian Commodity exchange and the
National Theatre creative hubs for our youths as well as the E-naira project which will also debut in October 2021.
Emefiele explained further that the NIFC will take advantage of existing laws such as the BOFIA 2020, NEPZA and other CBN regulations to create a fully global investment and financial hub where monies, ideas, and technology will move freely without hindrance.
