• The investment ispart of a $130M deal closed in Dec 2025 to fund Vinci’s full airport concession in strategic Cabo Verde.

• The financing supports a French group in modernising Cape Verdean airports, marking a major milestone for green infrastructure in Africa.

• This sustainable investment package secures long-term growth for the archipelago, linking private capital to regional climate resilience.

Ninety-One—the global investment manager formerly known as Investec Asset Management—has publicly announced its commitment of €40 million (approximately $43.3 million) to modernising Cabo Verde’s airport network. This announcement clarifies the final piece of a broader $130 million (€120 million) financing round that was commercially finalised in December 2025. The capital is directed toward Cabo Verde Airports, the local entity managed under a 40-year full concession by Vinci Airports, to fund its "Phase 1B" expansion and decarbonization program.

This facility is structured as a Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL), with financial terms tied to the achievement of rigorous environmental milestones. For Vinci, this means the cost of the debt is tied to specific performance targets, such as reducing the carbon footprint of the seven airports under its management. By utilising this innovative instrument, Ninety-One and its partners—including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Germany’s DEG—are incentivising the transition to a greener aviation model in a nation where air connectivity is the backbone of the economy.

Ninety One’s Specialised Strategy in African Sustainable Finance

The confirmation of this deal reinforces Ninety One's position as a leading architect of private capital mobilisation in Africa. By managing the EAAIF, the firm has moved beyond traditional lending to focus on "Just Transition" projects. This Cabo Verde transaction follows a series of similar high-impact involvements across the continent, such as Ninety One's support for renewable energy initiatives in East Africa and logistics infrastructure in Senegal, all focused on bridging the gap between institutional investment and sustainable development.

The broader context of sustainable finance in Africa is currently undergoing a significant shift. Institutional investors are increasingly moving toward ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)- linked structures to mitigate long-term climate risks. In 2025, Africa emerged as a key frontier for these instruments, as they provide a transparent framework for monitoring impact.

For the French group Vinci, securing this $43.3 million commitment from a specialist like Ninety-One validates the environmental viability of its Cape Verdean concession. The planned upgrades—ranging from on-site solar plants to terminal energy efficiency—ensure that the archipelago remains a resilient and sustainable destination. This deal serves as a prime example of how international financial expertise and industrial leadership can collaborate to future-proof critical transport infrastructure in emerging markets.

Idriss Linge