AFD and ACSA sign €85 million loan

On 25 February the French Development Agency (AFD) signed a €85 million loan with the Airports Company SA. Acsa will use the funds to upgrade and extend OR Tambo International Airport, especially the new central terminal building.

At the signing the French Ambassador, Denis Pietton, said that this loan would assist South Africa with hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup. "This partnership is the beginning of a longstanding partnership between the two organisations and it will strengthen relations between the countries."

AFD regional director, Christophe Richard, said that South Africa was one of the agency’s biggest recipients worldwide, especially in the field of infrastructure development.

Monhla Hlahla, Acsa managing director with the French Ambassador to South Africa, Denis Pietton, and Christophe Richard, regional director of the French Development Agency

Denis Pietton, French Ambassador, Priscillah Mabelane, Acsa executive director: finance, Christophe Richard and Phetolo Ramosebudi, Acsa treasurer at the signing of the loan agreement.