Africa Finance Corporation Issued First Digital Bond
Investors secured a 1.49% coupon on a new CHF 350 million tokenized bond listed on the Swiss exchange.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Stock Markets
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The Africa Finance Corporation has launched a CHF 350 million five-year digital bond, marking the first time an African institution has listed a tokenized security on a regulated digital exchange. The issuance uses Distributed Ledger Technology to manage ownership and settlement.
Why it matters
The bond issuance allows the corporation to diversify its funding toolkit for infrastructure projects across Africa. It signals a shift in how regional development entities may access global capital markets by utilizing digital register infrastructure.
The CHF 350 million bond issuance attracted 90% of demand from Swiss investors, with 57% of total allocations going to banks and financial services institutions. Since 2007, the corporation has invested US$18.5 billion across the continent.
The players
Africa Finance Corporation
An entity that provides infrastructure financing and maintains an A rating from S&P and an A3 rating from Moody's.
SIX Swiss Exchange
A regulated venue that provides the platform for listing traditional and digital securities.
The details
The bond utilizes Distributed Ledger Technology to record ownership on a regulated digital register, with settlement handled by SIX SIS AG. By moving to this digital framework, the corporation aims to streamline the issuance process for infrastructure financing. This issuance follows the 2021 adoption of Swiss amendments for DLT-based securities, which provided the necessary regulatory environment for such assets.
Timeline
2007: The Africa Finance Corporation was founded.
2020: The corporation issued its inaugural CHF 150 million green bond.
2021: Swiss amendments for DLT-based securities came into force.
October 1, 2026: The bond issuance was officially confirmed.
Money Landscape
This bond issuance represents a significant evolution in international capital markets by adopting tokenized security infrastructure. It follows the 2021 Swiss amendments for DLT-based securities which established the legal framework for such digital assets.
This development highlights the growing integration of digital register technology into institutional investment products. If you are interested in the evolution of tokenized assets, consult with a qualified financial professional regarding the risks and liquidity profiles of digital securities.
The takeaway
Tokenized securities are expanding the reach of emerging market institutions into digital-first investment ecosystems. Investors should monitor how digital infrastructure impacts the settlement speeds and accessibility of international bond portfolios.
Further reading
For more information on how digital assets and tokenization are changing global finance, visit our Stock Markets section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Fintech Times.
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