Erbil, Iraq, April 28, 2016—IFC,
a member of the World Bank Group, has arranged a $375 million financing
package for a leading private Iraqi power company, Mass Global Energy Sulimaniya.
The project will provide electricity to millions of people across the country—particularly
in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where a migrant crisis has strained power
infrastructure.
The financing package is part of a larger
effort by IFC to support infrastructure development in Iraq, which needs
to increase its power generating capacity by an estimated 70 percent just
to meet current demand. It is also part of an emphasis by IFC to scale
up support for fragile and conflict-affected states, where private sector
investment is essential to rebuild infrastructure, create jobs, and spur
growth.
The innovative debt and equity package
includes $250 million from IFC’s own account and $125 million from Bank
Audi, which includes IFC’s first Islamic syndicated loan. Mass Global
Energy Sulimaniya will use the funds to add 500 megawatts of capacity to
a 1,000-megawatt power plant in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq—providing
power to 3 million people—and to help complete a new power plant near
Baghdad that will supply about half of the Iraqi capital’s electricity
needs.
“These investments are critically important
in a country where years of war and neglect have hobbled the energy infrastructure,
leading to daily blackouts and stifling economic growth,” said IFC CEO
Philippe Le Houérou. “Pressure is especially acute in the Kurdistan Region
of Iraq as a result of a recent influx of more than 1 million internally
displaced Iraqis and 250,000 Syrian refugees. We expect this project will
open the door to greater private sector investment in Iraq, enhance the
potential for long-term development, and demonstrate how private solutions
can help solve infrastructure gaps in challenging regions.”
Nechervan Idris Barzani, Prime Minister
of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, said: “The current power shortages not
only affect the lives of our people but also cripple business productivity,
which negatively impacts the economy and employment. This IFC-led transaction
will help increase our power capacity and also provide much-needed liquidity
for the country."
Chairman of Mass Global Energy Sulimaniya
Chairman Ahmed Ismail said: “In challenging markets, we appreciate organizations
like IFC stepping up to invest in a critical sector like power. Increasing
power generation in Iraq is vital at the present time, and our partnership
with IFC and Bank Audi will help us achieve our goal of adding 500 megawatts
to the national grid
Raymond Audi, Chairman of Bank Audi
said: “This is the first major investment in Iraq for Bank Audi. We are
pleased to show our support for such an important and vital infrastructure
project. We look forward to further collaborating with Mass Global and
IFC as well as expanding in Iraq.
Over the past five years, IFC has invested
$2 billion in infrastructure projects in fragile and conflict-affected
countries, including funds IFC mobilized from other investors.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group,
is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector
in emerging markets. Working with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide,
we use our capital, expertise, and influence, to create opportunity where
it’s needed most. In FY15, our long-term investments in developing countries
rose to nearly $18 billion, helping the private sector play an essential
role in the global effort to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.
For more information, visit www.ifc.org
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