Bank One has extended a USD 5 million facility to ESATF, an African trade fund managed by the ESATAL fund management company, a TDB Group subsidiary, to support trade finance on the continent.
The facility is designed to support the Fund’s growing loan book. The financing will be deployed to meet the rising demand for trade finance across Africa, a key growth market for both institutions.
TDB Group and Bank One share a long-standing relationship, which was first established with Bank One’s participation in the syndicated loans of TDB Group’s Trade and Development Banking operations.
This facility is a new area of collaboration between both institutions, and Bank One’s first direct lending engagement with ESATF. It reflects the institution’s confidence in the Fund as a strong and well-managed trade finance vehicle, with a diversified and de-risked loan portfolio.
ESATAL Executive Director Umulinga Karangwa said, “We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Bank One as we extend our trade finance reach across African markets. This latest collaboration builds on the existing relationship with TDB Group and reflects a shared commitment to unlocking capital for businesses that drive regional trade and economic development. As ESATF continues to scale up, such partnerships are key to deepening our impact and expanding access to much-needed financing across the continent.”
Bank One CEO, Sunil Ramgobin, adds: “Over the past few years, Bank One has joined TDB on two syndicated debt raises, demonstrating our shared mission to promote sustainable, inclusive growth across Africa. This third collaboration—a USD 5 million trade finance facility to ESATF—reinforces our joint ambition to deliver measurable social, environmental and developmental impact. By supporting ESATF’s growing loan book, we respond to rising demand for trade finance across African markets. We stand alongside TDB Group in building a stronger, more resilient Africa and look forward to achieving many more milestones together as we finance progress that truly matters.”
With USD 300 million in net assets under management as of June 2025, and over 60 investors in its diverse stable, the ESATF trade fund serves as a strong platform for institutional investors looking to support Africa’s growing trade finance sector, and its impact across several sectors, including for SMEs, women and smallholder farmers.
