NRG matters: African Development Bank to secure $40bn to push South Africa’s clean energy transition

African Development Bank aims to secure as much as $40 billion to facilitate South Africa’s transition to clean energy (Shutterstock)
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Updated 01 June 2022
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NRG matters: African Development Bank to secure $40bn to push South Africa’s clean energy transition

RIYADH: Spain and Portugal are set to establish a gas pipeline to reduce the continent’s dependence on Russian supplies. 

The African Development Bank is planning to raise a significant amount to back South Africa’s transition to clean energy. 

On another note, India’s Attero Recycling Pvt is intending to invest up to $1 billion to build battery recycling plants across Europe, the US, and Indonesia.

Looking at the bigger picture:

  • Spain and Portugal are set to develop a new gas pipeline connecting both countries in an attempt to regasify imported liquefied natural gas and channel it to central Europe. The EU is expected to finance the infrastructure, Reuters reported, citing Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
  • Spain’s gross domestic product has the potential to be hit by between 2.5 percent and 4.2 percent should energy imports from Russia stop flowing, Reuters reported, citing the country’s central bank. While the magnitude of the impact will be high during the first year, it is expected to lessen in the years to follow, reflecting Europe’s compliance to replacing Russian supplies.

Through a micro lens:

  • Multilateral development finance institution African Development Bank has announced that it aims to secure as much as $40 billion to facilitate South Africa’s transition to clean energy, Bloomberg reported. The institution also stressed that this comes as a part of a scheme which will not add to the country’s debt, but rather will be used as a model for other countries moving forward. 
  • India’s largest electronic asset management company Attero Recycling Pvt has announced that it plans to inject $1 billion over the span of five years to construct lithium-ion battery recycling facilities across Europe, the US, and Indonesia, Bloomberg reported. This comes as a result of the rise in demand for the metal amid the global transition to electric vehicles. In addition, it is projected that 2.5 million tons of lithium-ion batteries will reach the end of their life by the year 2030. Currently, there is only capacity to recycle as much as 0.7 million tons of battery waste.

PIF-backed AviLease achieves revenue of $664m and 19% growth in 2025

Updated 27 February 2026
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PIF-backed AviLease achieves revenue of $664m and 19% growth in 2025

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund-backed AviLease achieved exceptional performance and sustainable business growth during 2025, supported by the strategic expansion of its global platform.

According to its financial results for 2025, AviLease recorded total revenues of $664 million, an annual increase of 19 percent, driven by disciplined growth in its asset portfolio and strong performance in aircraft remarketing amid sustained global demand for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Profit before tax doubled compared to the previous year, reaching $122 million. The year witnessed an expansion in AviLease’s portfolio, reaching 202 owned and managed aircraft, leased to over 50 airline companies in more than 30 countries. 

The total value of the company’s assets stabilized at $9.3 billion. AviLease maintained a 100 percent fleet utilization rate, reflecting the resilience of its business model, the efficiency of its asset management, and the strength of its strategic relationships with airlines around the world.

AviLease concluded purchase agreements for aircraft from Airbus, including the A320neo family and A350F, and Boeing 737 aircraft, aiming to enhance its future asset portfolio with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. This step will contribute to supporting future growth and meeting increasing customer demand for the latest aircraft, aligning with the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a leading global aviation hub.

AviLease strengthened its prestigious credit standing by obtaining a strong Baa2 credit ratings from Moody’s and BBB from Fitch, reflecting its financial solidity, managerial discipline, and efficiency in managing leverage. The company also successfully issued senior unsecured bonds worth $850 million last November under Regulation 144A/RegS. This issuance contributed to diversifying its funding sources and enhancing its financial flexibility.

Commenting on the results, AviLease CEO Edward O’Byrne said: “This exceptional performance reflects the quality of the company’s investment portfolio, the strength of its partnerships with airlines, and its strategic focus on responsibly deploying capital into highly sought-after, efficient, modern aircraft assets.”

He added: “As aviation markets continue to grow, AviLease is strategically positioned to continue its expansion plans and deliver sustainable long-term value for shareholders, contributing to the Kingdom’s ambitions.”

Throughout 2025, AviLease continued to play a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s growing aviation sector and contributed directly to the launch and scaling of the new national carrier, Riyadh Air, by completing a sale and leaseback transaction for a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which thereby became the first aircraft to join the airline’s fleet.

AviLease also established a strategic partnership with Hassana Investment Co. This partnership aims to provide an opportunity for local and international investors to enter the aircraft financing asset class and benefit from AviLease’s technical expertise and operational capabilities to support partnership growth and enhance performance. 

Hassana Investment Co. has agreed to acquire an initial portfolio of 10 modern aircraft from AviLease.