Programme Overview

The Developing & Financing Infrastructure Projects Course is designed for Aspiring Infraprenuers and Career Professionals seeking to improve their project finance knowledge and are involved in the Large Scale Infrastructure Projects.

Organized by
Co-Hosted by
Dates and Mode of Delivery

Aug - Sept 2025
Virtual

5 Weeks

Intensive

Training 

12+

 Infrastructure

Case Studies

10+

Project Finance Facilitators 

1

Africa Infrastructure
Focus

20+

Impactful Learning
Sessions

Key Learning Outcomes

1.

UNDERSTAND LIMITED RECOURSE FINANCING 

Understand the fundamentals of Limited Recourse Finance based developments for the Private and Public Sector Projects.

2.

UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKES PROJECTS BANKABLE

Appreciate the mechanisms that make projects bankable and investable as well as protects creditors

Understand Limited Resourse Financing

3.

APPLY PROJECT RISK ANALYSIS WITH CASE STUDIES

Understand how to analyse and interpret risk to determine their severity and potential impact on the transaction structure.

The sizzling

How it Went
Cohort 07 DFIP!

WHY WE ARE
BEST CHOICE?

• Beginner Friendly
• Renowned Speakers
• Hands-on Workshops
• Networking Opportunities
• And much more!

Developing Financing Infrastructure Projects (DFIP) is organized by The African Catalyst and is focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities in financing infrastructure projects in Africa through education. It unites industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for bridging the continent's infrastructure financing gap.

DFIP provides participants with practical knowledge on structuring bankable projects, covering themes like financial modeling, stakeholder engagement, and international funding.

Register Now for the next DFIP session

Early Bird Registration Ongoing!

Recap: Live Sessions 1 & 2


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

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 joining us from around the globe, including notable companies like Templars Law Firm, PwC, and KHS Capital, the atmosphere was buzzing with enthusiasm.

The sessions were a comprehensive journey, touching on 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.


PART A Session 1A: Overview of Project Mechanics (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Overview of Project Finance, as 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.


Session 1B: Mozal Aluminum Case Study (2:30 PM – 3:00 PM)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Mozal is a $1.4 billion, 250,000-ton, largescale aluminum smelter project in Mozambique


Session 1C: Introduction to Early Development Stage (2:35pm – 3:35pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

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.


Case Study 2A: Dabhol Power Case Study (12:00pm – 1:05pm)
Omobolanale Atobatele
Commercial Lead-New Business Development and Deals, Aradel Holdings

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


Session 2B: Introduction to Pre-Financing Stage (1:05pm – 2:05pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

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.

CLICK TO WATCH

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


Session 2C: Infrapreneurial Guide to Financial Models Part A (2:05pm - 3:05pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Recap: Live Sessions 3 & 4


Recap Session on Week 1 Assignment Presentation (12:00pm – 12:30pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Programme Co-ordinator, DFIP


Session 3A: Financial Models for Infrapreneurs - Practice Session (12:25pm – 2:35pm)
Jacinda Efemenah


Session 3B: Achieving Bankability I: Predictable Cashflow (2:35pm - 3:35pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa


Session 4A: Achieving Bankability II: Fixed Construction Delivery & Operations (12:00pm – 1:05pm)
Engineer Bolaji Atoloye
Managing Director, Infraserv Nigeria Limited


Case Study 4B: EPC Contracts: Key Issues for Consideration (1:05pm – 2:25pm)
Ngo -Martins Okonmah
Partner, Aluko & Oyebode

Session 4C: Achieving Bankability II: Operations and Supply Agreements (1:05pm – 2:25pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner Brickstone Africa

Recap: Live Sessions 5 & 6


Recap Session Week 2 - Assignment Presentation (12:00pm – 12:30pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Programme Co-ordinator, DFIP


Session 5A: Achieving Bankability III: Governance (12:30pm – 1:30pm)
Ibukun Osoba
Governance Specialist


Session 5B: Achieving Bankability III: Sustainability (1:40pm – 2:25pm)
Abbas Agbaje
CEO Impact Crest Consulting


Session 5B: Introduction to IFC Performance Standard (2:25pm – 3:25pm)
Ibukun Faluyi
CEO, Vicinia Solutions Limited


Developing Project Bankability Planning Report (12.00pm - 12.35pm)
Jacinda Efemenahi
Senior Analyst, Brickstone Africa


Session 6A: Due Diligence in Infrastructure Projects (12.35PM - 2.05PM)
Desmond Ogba
Partner, Templars Law


Session 6B: Mandaba Case Study Review (2.05PM - 3.00PM)
Desmond Ogba
Partner, Templars Law

Register Now for the next DFIP session

Early Bird Registration Ongoing!

Recap: Live Sessions 7 & 8


Recap Session Week 3 - Assignment Presentation (12:00pm – 12:30pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Programme Co-ordinator, DFIP


Session 7A: Infrapreneurial Guide to Financial Modelling -Part 2 (12:50pm – 1:30pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Senior Analyst, Brickstone Africa


Session 7B: Project Finance Deal Structuring (1:30pm – 2:30pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa


Session 8A: Security Arrangements & Direct Agreements (12.00PM - 1.05PM)
Lucy Kavanagh
Trinity International LLP


Session 8B: Case Study: Etisalat Nigeria (1.05 pm - 1.25 pm)
Lucy Kavanagh
Partner, Trinity International LLP

Session 8C: Project Finance Sectors & Issues in Financing (1.25 pm - 2.55 pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Session 8D: Project Finance Roadmap (2.55 pm - 3:40 pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Recap: Live Sessions 9 & 10


Recap Session Week 4 - Assignment Presentation (12:00pm – 1:00pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Programme Co-ordinator, DFIP


Session 9A: Key Credit Enhancements for Infrastructure Projects (12:50pm – 2:00pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa


Session 9B: Finance Document & Support Agreements (12:50pm – 2:00pm)
Jobalo Oshinkalu
Deputy CEO, ARM Harith


Session 9C: Mandaba Container Terminal Term Sheet (3:00pm – 4:00pm)
Jobalo Oshinkalu
Deputy CEO, ARM Harith


Session 10A: Getting to Financial Close & Achieving Disbursement 12.00pm - 1.35pm)
Femi Awofala
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa


Session 10B: Heirs Oil & Gas, OML 17 (1.30pm - 2.30pm)
Femi Awofala,
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa


Session 10C: Early Stage Project Information Pitch Deck (Explanation) (2.35pm - 3.05pm)
Femi Awofala,
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa


Session 10D: Project Commissioning Process (3.05pm - 4.05pm)
Femi Awofala,
Lead Partner, Brickstone Africa

Recap: Live Sessions 11 & 12


Recap Session: Week 5 - Assignment Presentation (12:00pm – 1:00pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Programme Coordinator DFIP


Session 11B - DFIP Certification Test (1:00pm - 1:30pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Senior Analyst, Brickstone Africa


Close-Out Session (1:30pm – 2:00pm)


Recap Session: Early Stage Information Pitch Deck Dry Run (2:00pm – 3:30pm)
Jacinda Efemenah
Programme Coordinator DFIP


Demo Session: Early Stage Infrastructure Project Pitching Session (12.00pm - 3.30pm)


InfraPitch Session: Thursday, 25th September 2025 (11.00am)

Africa Infrapreneurs Programme spirit from

Past events

Supporting Partners

Are you interested in Partnering with the Developing and Financing Infrastructrue Projects?

Testimonials from Participants

Register Now for the next DFIP session

Early Bird Registration Ongoing!