Shelter Afrique approves N8b for Nigeria’s affordable housing projects

PAN-African housing development financier Shelter Afrique has extended $19.5 million (₦N8 billion) line of credit to Lagos-based real estate firm, Mixta Real Estate Plc.

The seven-year facility with a moratorium of 24 months has been structured to co-finance Mixta’s affordable residential projects investments and for debt refinancing.

About $9.75 (₦N4 billion) will be used to co – finance 1,171 affordable housing units comprising on-going Beechwood Park project (187 units) and New Marula projects (984 units). The other $9.75 (₦N4 billion) will be used to repay part of Mixta’s seven-months commercial papers raised from the capital market in a bid to reduce the aggregate commercial papers outstanding from ₦ N17.9 billion to ₦N13.9 billion.

“The deal with Mixta Real Estate PLC is appealing to us because in addition to addressing the development of affordable houses, it also stimulates rapid growth in housing provision, re-invigorates development of the mortgage industry, as well as incorporates a sustainable development finance solution that makes the sector attractive to financiers,” Shelter Afrique Ag. Managing Director, Kingsley Muwowo said.

Commenting on the deal, Mixta Africa’s Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Benson Ajayi, said enabling access to housing and home ownership at affordable prices is the company’s main priority.

“The funding from Shelter Afrique is a validation of Mixta Africa’s housing and infrastructure development credentials. We are pleased to receive this funding approval after a rigorous due diligence process. In addition to accelerating the delivery of sustainable and affordable housing, the transaction will also strengthen the company’s funding status.

“The company is delighted with the support of the organisation and looks forward to working with Shelter Afrique to deliver on its affordable housing mandate across Africa,” Ajayi said.

Shelter Afrique has had long-term relationship with Mixta Africa dating back to the year 2014 when the Company extended $6 million to Mixta (formerly ARM Properties PLC) to co-finance the development of 13 blocks, comprising 130 apartments and related infrastructures services for outright sale to the public. The project was successful completed and the loan full paid back.

In March 2021, Shelter Afrique Board of Director approved a corporate loan in form of line of credit of $13 million in favour of Mixta. The five- year facility was to be on-lent to Mixta’s Real Estate Development affiliates to fund the Group’s current real estate portfolio composed of three key housing developments programmes of 889 low to middle housing units in Morocco (371 units), in Senegal (162 units) and in Ivory Coast (356 housing units).

“We are jointly reviewing a few terms and conditions of this facility at the moment and loan agreements between the two parties, is expected, will be signed soon,” Muwowo said.

The facility is expected to directly impact more than 1,171 families and provide accommodation for more than 4,684 people (average size of households in Lagos is 3.8) and create at least 2,342 jobs.

Shelter-Afrique is a pan African housing finance and development institution established by African governments to address the need for a sustainable housing delivery system and related infrastructure projects in Africa. Shareholders include 44 African countries, the African Development Bank, the African Re-Insurance Corporation, and Fonds de Solidarité Africain (FSA).

The company’s mandate is to provide financing through debt, quasi-equity, and equity to both public and private institutions for housing and urban infrastructure projects in its member countries. Shelter Afrique builds strategic partnerships and offers a host of products and related services to support the efficient delivery of affordable housing and commercial real estate.

These include project finance, institutional lending, equity investments and joint ventures, trade finance, and social housing. We also offer practical advice and technical assistance to a wide range of industry stakeholders

Mixta Real Estate Plc is a Pan-African real estate development company headquartered in Nigeria. It was established in 2005 and since then, has successfully executed many impactful projects. The company is currently present in eight countries across Africa with full operations in Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, and Tunisia but with projects in Mauritania, Algeria and Egypt.