Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
On May 4, 2014, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) signed a $34,035,316.65 buyer's credit (loan) agreement with Ethiopia Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) for the Upgrading of Lot III & IV Project. The buyer's credit (loan) carried the following borrowing terms: a 12.137 year maturity (final maturity date: June 20, 2026), a 2.635 year grace period, and an annual interest rate of 6-month LIBOR plus a 2.6% margin. The loan's first and last scheduled principal payment dates were December 20, 2016 and June 20, 2026, respectively. Its first and last scheduled interest payment dates were December 20, 2016 and June 20, 2026, respectively. The Government of Ethiopia issued a sovereign guarantee in support of the loan. The purpose of the project was to provide electricity for ICT infrastructure. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. was the contractor responsible for implementation. The project was completed and put into operation in 2017.
Staff comments
1. The loan's all-in interest rate (2.923%) -- at the time it was issued -- was estimated by adding 2.6% to average 6-month LIBOR in May 2014 (0.323%). 2. This project is also known as the Electricity Project. 3. ICBC also financed Lot I and Lot II (as captured via Record ID#69391). 4. Some sources identify China Development Bank (CDB) rather than ICBC as the financier. This issue warrants further investigation. 5. The loan identification number in the Government of Ethiopia’s Debt Management and Financial Analysis System (DMFAS) is 20877000 and the corresponding project name in DMFAS is ‘UPGRADE LOT III & IV’. See https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7nrczfanixvivmiyzqx3i/MOFED-Loan-Level-Data-on-Borrowing-Terms-and-Loan-Performance-September-2024_OTHER_PUBLIC.xlsx?rlkey=5sqhh9ii4t3x8cmz0jf6s7cod&dl=0 6. As of September 2024, the Government of Ethiopia recorded the loan's all-in interest rate as 8.36% in DMFAS. See https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7nrczfanixvivmiyzqx3i/MOFED-Loan-Level-Data-on-Borrowing-Terms-and-Loan-Performance-September-2024_OTHER_PUBLIC.xlsx?rlkey=5sqhh9ii4t3x8cmz0jf6s7cod&dl=0