Standard Bank has provided a US$29 million Social Documentary Credit Facility to Helios Towers, marking the bank's first documentary credit facility structured under a sustainable finance framework.

The financing will support the procurement and importation of telecommunications infrastructure and related services across Africa, while providing payment certainty to suppliers and supporting Helios Towers' working capital and infrastructure expansion plans.

Structured in line with the Loan Market Association's Social Loan Principles, the facility is intended to promote digital connectivity by expanding telecommunications infrastructure in underserved markets across the continent.

Helios Towers operates one of Africa's largest independent telecommunications tower platforms, enabling mobile network operators to extend network coverage across multiple countries. The new financing will support the expansion of tower infrastructure, increased network densification and improved mobile connectivity in remote and underserved communities.

According to Standard Bank, the transaction combines trade finance with sustainable finance objectives by helping bridge Africa's digital divide while supporting economic development.

“This transaction demonstrates the power of innovation in trade finance,” said Benoit Samouilhan, Global Transaction Banker at Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB). “By combining a first-to-market Social Documentary Credit Facility with a cross-border funding solution, Standard Bank has supported Helios Towers' growth ambitions while helping extend digital connectivity to underserved communities across Africa. It is a powerful example of how finance can drive both commercial success and positive social impact.”

The bank said the facility is expected to increase access to reliable communications infrastructure in regions where connectivity remains limited, supporting businesses, communities and broader socio-economic development.

Helios Towers said the financing will provide greater flexibility to continue investing in telecommunications infrastructure across its African markets.

“Reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to Africa's future growth and development,” said Alex Carter, Group Finance Director at Helios Towers. “This facility provides us with the flexibility and certainty needed to support our ongoing infrastructure investments while advancing our mission of expanding connectivity across the continent. We value our longstanding relationship with Standard Bank and look forward to building on this partnership.”

Standard Bank added that the transaction demonstrates its ability to structure trade finance solutions aligned with sustainable development objectives.

“This transaction demonstrates Standard Bank's ability to deliver tailored trade finance solutions that promote telecommunications infrastructure development and digital inclusion across the African continent,” said Noloyiso Mpanza, Executive Lead of Sustainable Finance, Transaction Banking at Standard Bank CIB. “It reflects our role in partnering HT in tackling the digital divide through connecting the unconnected.”