VINCI Airports finalized the financing of the concession of Cape Verde airports and took over its operation – its first concession on the African continent.
After having “lifted the conditions precedent provided for in the contract of concession of 40 years signed in July 2022 with the government of Cape Verde”, the airport manager finalized on July 24, 2023 the financial closure of the acquisition of the seven airports from the country. In this context, VINCI Airports has, according to its press release, taken out financing of 60 million euros with a maturity of 20 years provided by three development banks: the World Bank-IFC, Proparco (France) and DEG (Germany). This financing benefits from the Sustainability Linked Financing label (SLF).
In this context, two sustainability indicators have been defined: a progressive objective of reducing CO2 emissions and obtaining Airport Carbon Accreditation certification. This is one of the very first financings of this type put in place by VINCI Airports and also the first SLF airport financing for IFC, Proparco and DEG.
The closing of this financing “marks a major step for Cape Verde airports, whose operations VINCI Airports is now taking over. VINCI Airports will be in charge of the financing, operation, maintenance, extension and modernization of these platforms for the next 40 years, alongside its Portuguese subsidiary (ANA – Airports of Portugal), which will hold 30% of the concession company.
Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and Chairman of VINCI Airports, said: “ we are proud of the confidence of the Cape Verdean government, which entrusts us through this concession with the responsibility of supporting the tourism growth of the country while ensuring the environmental transformation of airports. We warmly welcome our new colleagues to the network and look forward to getting to work “.
With 2.2 million passengers handled in 2022, i.e. approximately 80% of its traffic level before the Covid-19 pandemic, Cape Verde presents a solid development potential. VINCI Airports “will work to open new routes by promoting the tourist qualities of the archipelago, in particular the development of the hotel industry, the wealth of sporting and natural activities and the sunny winter climate”. VINCI Airports will also deploy its environmental action plan, integrating the development of renewable energies produced on the platforms. ” More than 300 employees will thus join the workforce of VINCI Airports, which will ensure their integration by mobilizing its resources in terms of continuous training, sharing of good operational practices and promotion of women’s careers”, promises the manager.
The integration of Cape Verde airports enables VINCI Airports to consolidate its leadership as the world’s leading private operator, with 72 airports in operation in 13 countries.
