Event Recap: DFIP-Cohort 5

Getting Ready for DFIP

Introductory Remarks on the Developing and Financing Infrastructure Projects.

Our facilitator, Femi Awofala, brought the world of Project Finance in infrastructure development to life, making it relatable and engaging.

With a diverse mix of participants from around the globe, including notable companies like Templars Law Firm, PwC, and KHS Capital, the atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm.

The sessions covered fundamental project finance concepts, risk allocation, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), early development stages in infrastructure deals, and the crucial pre-financing stage. Not to forget, the insightful Brickstone Project Bankability framework, which illuminated the path to ensuring project success from ideation to completion.

Photo Highlights

Recap: Live Session 1&2

Introductory Session: Getting Ready for DFIP (12:00 PM – 12:30 PM)
Femi Awofala | Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Introductory Remarks on Developing and Financing Infrastructure Projects.

Our facilitator, Femi Awofala, brought the world of Project Finance in infrastructure development to life, making it relatable and engaging.

With a diverse mix of participants from around the globe, including notable companies like Templars Law Firm, PwC, and KHS Capital, the atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm.

The sessions covered fundamental project finance concepts, risk allocation, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), early development stages in infrastructure deals, and the crucial pre-financing stage. Not to forget, the insightful Brickstone Project Bankability framework, which illuminated the path to ensuring project success from ideation to completion.

Overview of Project Mechanics (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM)

Femi Awofala | Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Overview of Project Finance, a methodology designed by bankers to mobilise
Large Debt for Infrastructure Projects.

Our esteemed Course Director, Femi Awofala, Founder of Brickstone Africa and CEO of TheAfricanCatalyst, has taken the stage to share his wealth of knowledge with our captive audience.

Today, he delves deep into the world of project finance, enlightening our participants about its intricate and essential concepts. From defining project finance to exploring its various facets, he covers topics like:

• What is project finance?

• Participants in a project finance deal

• Merits & demerits of project finance deals

• Principles of risk allocation

• The contractual nature of project finance

• Project finance development phases

• Types of financed projects

Join us for this enriching learning experience and gain valuable insights into the world of infrastructure entrepreneurship.

Case Study 1.1: Mozal Aluminium (2:30 PM – 3:00 PM)
Femi Awofala | Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Mozal is a $1.4 billion, 250,000-ton, large-scale aluminium smelter project in Mozambique.

Introduction to Early Development Stage (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

Bunmi Folayan | Infrastructure Specialist, CPCS

The sessions focus on the Early Development Stage, the first stage of the Project's Development Process.

After a refreshing tea break, Femi Awofala, a distinguished Private Sector Infrastructure Consultant, joined us virtually. With expertise in the field, he provided valuable insights into the early development stage of project finance infrastructure deals.

During his engaging session, he covered a wide array of topics, including:

• An overview of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

• The solicitation process through International Competitive Bidding (ICB) and its key activities

• The importance of private sector participation

• Conducting competitive bidding effectively

• The role of RFP (Bid Document Package)

• The meticulous process of Bidder Final Selection

• The significance of unsolicited proposals

• Considerations in signing PPP contracts

Join us as we continue to explore the intricate world of infrastructure entrepreneurship and project finance.

Dahbol Power Project

The Dabhol project is a 2,015 MW, $2.8 billion gas-fired power plant located in India’s Maharashtra State.

Introduction to Pre-Financing Stage

Understanding the Pre-Financing Stage.

After a satisfying 1-hour lunch break, our Course Director, Femi Awofala, returns to the stage, this time with a fascinating practical case study - the Dabhol Power Project.

In these sessions, he also takes us through the nitty-gritty of the pre-financing stage in a project finance infrastructure deal, shedding light on vital elements and key activities involved, including the intricate financial models.

To truly grasp the concept of 'Bankability' in project development, Femi introduces the Brickstone Bankability Framework, a creation of Brickstone Africa. He expounds on the significance of project bankability, focusing on aspects such as predictable cash flow, optimal construction and operations, as well as the critical factors of good governance and sustainability.