How do international infrastructure projects come about that foster
sustainable development while simultaneously creating new export
opportunities for German companies? In this episode of Export Echo,
we discuss the Rural Electrification Project in Angola—one of the
largest projects in sub-Saharan Africa supported by German federal
export credit guarantees. Together with Jenny Tala (Germany Trade
& Invest) and Rodrigo Costeira (MCA Group), host Jennifer
Loewen examines how the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, the
collaboration within "Team Germany," and the practical mechanics of
ECA-backed EPC project financing contribute to the successful
implementation of sustainable infrastructure projects. The
discussion focuses on the challenges of a large-scale solar project
designed for rural electrification in Angola—an initiative
providing solar power and battery storage to more than a million
people across 60 rural communities. Furthermore, the episode
explores the vital role played by German companies and the
opportunities opening up in Africa, particularly for small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Guests: Jenny Tala, Director
Southern Africa at Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). Based in
Johannesburg, South Africa, since 2024, Jenny helps businesses
identify and capitalize on opportunities in African and Southern
African markets. At GTAI, she manages the new German Global Gateway
Investment Hub—the national entry point for European companies
seeking project support under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
Notable quote: “The MCA project sends a very positive and powerful
message because it shows that large-scale renewable energy projects
can be successfully implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa, even in
challenging environments.” — Jenny Tala, Director Southern Africa,
GTAI Rodrigo Costeira, Head of Structured Finance at MCA Group (MCA
Germany), oversees structured and ECA-backed financing for the MCA
Group, which operates in infrastructure, energy, urban development,
and healthcare across Europe and Africa. He led the financing
structure for the flagship Angolan Rural Electrification Programme,
one of the largest solar EPC transactions in sub-Saharan Africa.
Notable Quote: “Structure, structure, structure. You need to plan
for every risk from day one. The risks you imagine will happen – on
projects of this magnitude, it is only a matter of time.” — Rodrigo
Costeira, Head of Structured Finance, MCA Group (MCA Deutschland)
Key Takeaways “Team Germany” simplifies access to support GTAI,
federal export credit guarantees, GIZ, and other partners work
closely together to provide companies with financing, consulting,
and market access from a single source. Sustainable energy for
rural regions in Angola The project supplies electricity to 60
communities—partly through grid expansion and partly through
decentralized solar and battery systems—thereby improving living
conditions for more than a million people. German companies benefit
across the entire supply chain More than 200 German companies were
involved in the project—ranging from solar technology, cables, and
steel to engineering services and insurance. EPC projects thus open
up access to international markets for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) as well. Export financing makes major projects
possible Export credit guarantees provide planning certainty,
improve financing terms, and enable long-term infrastructure
investments in growth markets. Listen now to learn more about
Global Gateway and major EPC projects! Contact us by phone at +49
40 / 88 34 - 90 00 or write us:
www.exportkreditgarantien.de/en/contact.html Further information:
www.exportkreditgarantien.de/en/knowledge/knowledge-transfer/background-knowledge/collaboration.html
www.gtai.de/, www.gtai.de/globalgateway www.mca-group.com
www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de Follow us:
www.linkedin.com/company
www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-loewen-7994743a/
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