• Membership grants access to project finance, equity, and risk tools
  
  
• Move supports Horizon 2035 plan to diversify beyond hydrocarbons
  

Equatorial Guinea has joined the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as its 47th member state, the multilateral lender said on Wednesday, expanding its footprint in Central Africa, a region with some of the continent’s largest infrastructure gaps.

Membership gives Equatorial Guinea access to AFC services including project preparation support, loan financing, equity investment and risk-mitigation instruments designed to attract capital to commercially viable projects.

AFC said the growing membership shows rising interest among African governments in a vehicle able to finance industrial, energy, logistics and mining projects, while also strengthening the corporation’s ability to mobilize international capital for Central Africa.

Finance Minister Ivan Bacale Ebe Molina said joining the AFC aligns with the country’s Horizon 2035 strategy to diversify an economy still heavily reliant on hydrocarbons. The government hopes AFC will help develop revenue-generating projects in infrastructure, agriculture, services and industry to broaden the country’s economic base.

AFC Chief Executive Samaila Zubairu said the institution will work with public authorities and private investors in Equatorial Guinea to prepare and finance infrastructure projects considered vital for growth. Priority sectors include energy, transport, water, telecommunications and local industry.

The AFC said the partnership is expected to accelerate investment across Central Africa, where many projects face delays due to funding shortages, weak technical preparation and complex regulatory environments.

Chamberline Moko