VINCI Airports has finalised the financial arrangements for the acquisition of seven airports in the country. VINCI Airports secured €60 million (£51 million) in financing, maturing over 20 years, from three development banks: World Bank-IFC, Proparco (France) and DEG (Germany). This financing is certified under the Sustainability-Linked Financing (SLF) framework.
To secure certification, it set two sustainability targets: one involving a progressive reduction in CO2 emissions, the other involving the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. This is one of VINCI Airports' very first financing arrangements of this kind and the first time IFC, Proparco and DEG have financed airports through a SLF.
Securing the financing was a major milestone for the airports in Cabo Verde, and VINCI Airports has taken over the operation on July 24 . It will fund, operate, maintain, extend and modernise these airports over the next 40 years, alongside its Portuguese subsidiary (ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal), which will hold 30% of the concession company.
Cabo Verde welcomed 2.2 million passengers in 2022, approximately 80% of the total in 2019, and has solid potential. VINCI Airports will open new routes by promoting the archipelago's attractive features for tourists, including its expanding hospitality sector, wide choice of sports activities and natural surroundings and sunny winters. VINCI Airports will also roll out an environmental action plan including development of renewable energy production at airports.
VINCI Airports is taking over the 300-plus employees on the teams at the airports in Cabo Verde and will integrate them in particular by bringing in its lifelong learning programmes, sharing operational best practices and fostering women's careers.
Integrating the airports in Cabo Verde has solidified VINCI Airports' position as the world's number-one private operator in its sector, with 72 airports in 13 countries.
