Afreximbank Disburses $40m to Support Fidelity Bank’s Acquisition of Union Bank UK

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disbursed a US$40-million Intra-African Investment Facility to Fidelity Bank Nigeria Plc to support Fidelity’Bank’s acquisition and recapitalization of Union Bank UK as part of its international expansion programme.
A statement iposted on Afreximbank website said the support was provided in two tranches of US$20 million each  The first tranche of the facility enabled Fidelity to part-refinance the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Union Bank UK, while the second tranche was used to support its recapitalisation via the injection of additional equity into the acquired bank, as approved by the United Kingdom’s regulator.
According to the statement, Fidelity Bank, with the support,  is able to birth a new pan-African financial institution capable of providing correspondent banking and offshore banking services to banks in Africa and servicing the banking needs of Africans in the diaspora.
 Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank and Export Development Bank,  Afreximbank, Kanayo Awani, commenting on the transaction, said the disbursement of the facility was part of Afreximbank’s effort to promote African control and ownership of capital while improving intra-African trade and investments.
“Fidelity Bank’s acquisition of Union Bank UK aligned with Afreximbank’s Intra-African Investment Facility. It was a significant milestone for both institutions, reinforcing African ownership and control within the global financial landscape,” Awani said. 
“By supporting this strategic transaction, we are not only bolstering Nigeria’s banking sector but also fostering greater financial integration between Africa and its Diaspora. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to enhancing intra-African trade, promoting economic stability and driving forward the objectives of Agenda 2063 for a prosperous and self-reliant Africa,” she added.
Awani stated that Afreximbank’s Acquisition Strategy, empowers African entities to acquire financial assets divested by foreign entities in Africa and the diaspora. This is also in line with the Bank’s Diaspora Strategy which seeks to promote and finance the integration of the African Diaspora with the rest of the continent. .
She noted that, through the facility, Fidelity Bank was extending its services to the UK, in particular, to Africans and African-owned businesses in the UK, including products to support Diaspora investments.
 Managing Director/ Chief Exrcutive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, commenting on the transaction, said,  ‘We are very thankful to Afreximbank for supporting our expansionary initiatives for international growth. It is, indeed, the result of a strong partnership between the two institutions over the years that has produced this good outcome.
“The refinancing of the Union Bank (UK) acquisition by Afreximbank will unlock additional value and help create a scalable and more sustaining service franchise that will support trade businesses in Africa and diaspora banking.”
The statement said the acquisition “is expected to contribute to Africa’s economic growth and development by increasing intra- and extra-African trade finance and trade flows between Nigeria and the UK, supporting the integration of the African Diaspora into regional and continental supply chains and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises across the continent to improve their export competitiveness and light export manufacturing capabilities.”