United Capital to boost infrastructure with ₦10b launch
Investment management and financial services group, United Capital Plc, has announced the launch of its Infrastructure Fund Series III Issuance of up to ₦10 billion, under the ₦150 billion Shelf Programme, saying it aims to boost development of national infrastructure.
According to a release by the firm, United Capital Infrastructure Fund (UCIF) was conceptualised to address critical infrastructure deficit in Nigeria.
It said: “By pooling resources from investors, the fund aims to invest in high-impact projects across various sectors, including transportation, power, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, telecommunications and more. Through these investments, UCIF seeks to finance bankable infrastructure and infrastructure-related opportunities, companies, and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) across various sectors.
“Through the Fund, investors can invest in commercially viable and sustainable development projects, thereby contributing significantly to infrastructure development of Nigeria.
“The Fund, which is managed by United Capital Asset Management Limited, a subsidiary of United Capital Plc, provides investment opportunities in de-risked infrastructure assets that can generate stable long-term income for its investors.”
It said the Fund targets an annual gross return for the Series III issuance of up to 23 per cent, an increase from the previous issuances, which reported a YTD Gross Return of 21.93 per cent as of May 2024. The launch followed the successes of the first two issuances, which garnered substantial subscriptions and positive feedback from investors.
Speaking on the value of the fund, the Chief Investment Officer and Fund Manager of the company, Uchenna Mkparu, said: “We are delighted to launch Series III of our Infrastructure Fund. The success of our previous issuances demonstrates the trust our investors have in our investment appraisal, due diligence and governance processes. We are confident that our Series III offering will continue to deliver substantial returns for our investors. Most importantly, we are eager to continue in our commitment to making a tangible impact on Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape, through investments in sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure”
The United Capital Infrastructure Fund adopts a robust investment process, which includes an independent review by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and rigorous risk management processes to ensure that risk is minimised for investors, to meet the expected returns.