YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - EQS - 30 August 2019 - On the side lines of the Tokyo International Conference ofAfrica's Development (TICAD7), ATI (https://www.ATI-ACA.org/) signed MoUs withJapan's three largest banks and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI),Japan's export credit agency; ATI and NEXI announced at TICAD7 the launch of aJapan Desk to be based in ATI's Nairobi headquarters in order to providetailored risk-mitigation support to Japanese companies and investors; ATI has acurrent pipeline of over US$1 Bn worth of transactions from Japanese banks.

The Tokyo International Conference ofAfrica's Development (TICAD7) concludes today. The event, which has grown intoone of the largest Africa-focused international events, provided a platform forbillions worth partnerships and transactions to be sealed. Among these newlyformed agreements, the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) and Nippon Exportand Investment Insurance (NEXI), Japan's export credit agency, also announcedthe launch of a Japan Desk, which will be housed by ATI in Nairobi. The twoinstitutions committed to strengthening risk mitigation cover to entice moreJapanese companies and investors to enter the African market. The Japan Deskwill facilitate this process.

ATI also penned agreements in the formof MoUs with three of Japan's leading banks -

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation(SMBC) and Mizuho Bank. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) signed an earlier MoU with ATI. Theagreements signal to the world that Japan views Africa as a strategicinvestment destination, which will also provide an opportunity for Japanesecompanies and investors to more effectively capitalize on the current opportunitiesin the fastest growing continent in the world.

In the last three years, ATI hasprovided insurance to protect some of Japan's largest lenders against the riskof sovereign default on transactions that have collectively brought close toUS$1Bn to the continent. Some of this financing has helped countries toreprofile short-term, and often pricey local currency debt, into longer-termand more affordable structures. The financing has also supported a wide rangeof priority sectors and, in the case of two ground-breaking capital marketstransactions arranged by Japan's largest bank, ATI-backed financing hasfacilitated the crowding-in of a new class of institutional investors to thecontinent.

With a strong pipeline of transactionsvalued at over US$1 Bn along with these strengthened partnerships, ATI expectsto support many more Japanese exporters and banks in deals across Africa in thecoming years.

Quotes:

Mr. John Lentaigne, Acting CEO, African Trade Insurance Agency:

Our participation at TICAD7 has yielded great results. We're excitedabout the prospect of providing greater levels of risk mitigation to Japanesecompanies and financiers, which we see as key to unlocking even more Japaneseinvestments into Africa.

Mr. Atsuo Kuroda,Chairman and CEO, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI):

"Establishing thecooperation framework between NEXI and ATI is one of the most fruitful outcomewhich we have achieved during TICAD7. We are very pleased to announce that "JapanDesk" will be set up in ATI, a reputable multilateral financial institutionwhich has a great track record to support African projects so that Japanesecompanies can obtain easy access to the reliable risk mitigation solutionprovided by ATI. As I promised in the TICAD7 official side-event, NEXI willclosely work with ATI to facilitate Japanese businesses in Africa."

Mr. Christopher Marks, Managing Director, MUFG:

ATI has established itself as asingular force for risk mitigation in Africa, leveraging the authority of itssupranational status to make possible highly efficient private-sector financingfor strategic development projects across the continent. ATI is an unequalledpartner for high order innovation in this space.

Mr. Hiroshi Nagamine, Managing ExecutiveOfficer, Head of EMEA, Mizuho Bank, Ltd:

The signing of this MOU is an expression ofMizuho's strong will and desire to develop further our African business. Ourstrategy in building our regional footprint is to work closely with undoubtedlocal parties. Counterparties that have excellent reputation, specialistexpertise, deep regional know how and experience.

ATI is an absolutely ideal partner given itsreputation both as a regional champion and also as an institution at the veryforefront of creating sophisticated funding solutions to meet the ever morecomplex needs of entities doing business in Africa.

Signing this MOU will provide Mizuho betterflexibility; by availing ourselves to ATI's sophisticated funding solutions, wewill be better able to support our clients in Africa.

Tetsuro Imaeda, Managing Executive Officer & Headof EMEA Division, SMBC:

Cooperating with local financialinstitutions in Africa is indispensable for us to expand our Africa business andrespond to customer needs.

By signing this MoU between one ofour most important partners in Africa, ATI, SMBC will be able to support our client'sbusiness to Africa through a wide range of coverage of ATI in the continent andexpects to further strengthen the existing strong relationship.

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