The West African Development Bank ( Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement / BOAD ) has approved a loan to support a next-generation communications network in Senegal by equipment manufacturer Huawei.

The project will support the long-term development of Société nationale d'électricité du Sénégal ( Senelec ) in its energy production, transmission, and distribution activities through the monitoring of electrical infrastructure and installations, as well as the improvement of the reliability and widespread use of remote measurement and control operations across its electricity distribution network.

BOAD acted as the institutional lender, and was advised by Norton Rose Fulbright. The loan was supplemented by a commercial financing facility for which BOAD also acted as arranger alongside Société Générale Senegal as lender and co-arranger. Société Générale Côte d'Ivoire acted as facility agent and security agent, and Bridge Bank Senegal as commercial lender.

The Paris-based team of Norton Rose Fulbright advised BOAD and the lenders. They were assisted in Senegal by law firm Houda & Associates.