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10 May 2024

Investec supports Air Côte d'Ivoire's regional expansion

Investec is proud to announce it has successfully arranged the refinancing of its existing facility relating to one Airbus A320 and the financing for the acquisition of two additional Airbus A319 aircraft for Air Côte d'Ivoire.

This partnership aims to support the airline's expansion plans in the region and to capitalise on the potential of regional connectivity in Africa.

Air Côte d'Ivoire has been a client of Investec since 2017, when the bank financed the purchase of its first Airbus commercial aircraft. In this latest transaction, a foreign exchange facility was included to facilitate the US dollar requirement for the aircraft acquisition.

Air Côte d'Ivoire, the national carrier of Côte d'Ivoire and continuously IOSA certified since 2017, currently operates a fleet of nine aircraft, which has now been expanded to 12, with the support of Investec, and will increase to 13 at the end of this year. The airline serves 20 routes across 18 countries with direct flights, providing vital connectivity to both domestic and international passengers. With the recent order of two A330neo aircraft to be delivered from December 2024, Air Côte d'Ivoire is poised to venture into long-haul flights, further solidifying its position as a key regional carrier.

In addition to its extensive regional network, Air Côte d'Ivoire plays a crucial role in promoting economic activity in remote areas of the country by offering connectivity to five key domestic destinations.

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Air Côte d'Ivoire and contribute to their growth and success," said Thato Matsha, Aviation Finance consultant at Investec South Africa. "We are pleased to play our part in enabling the airline to expand its operations and enhance regional connectivity in Africa, and in that way contribute to economic growth on the continent," said Matsha.

“In addition to the opportunity to acquire two additional aircraft, the success of this transaction demonstrates the strength of the relationship that has bound us to Investec for several years and supported our expansion and modernisation program, as well as the rejuvenation of our fleet,” said Setié Aubin Konan, Head of Long-Term Financings at Air Côte d'Ivoire. “Investec’s flexible approach and understanding of our needs played a crucial role in enabling this expansion and supporting our regional growth strategy,” added Konan.