Lesedi Project Finance

RNS Number : 0630U

Tlou Energy Ltd

30 November 2021

 

30 November 2021

Tlou Energy Limited

("Tlou" or "the Company")

Lesedi Project Finance

Tlou Energy is a power generation company developing clean energy solutions for Botswana and the sub-Saharan region.

The Company has signed a Convertible Note Agreement with Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) and has also agreed terms for an equity investment by BPOPF.

Convertible Note

The principal terms of the Convertible Note Agreement ("Note") are as follows:

Ø Amount:  BWP 50m (~USD 5m)

Ø Maturity:  5 years

Ø Interest rate:  7.75% per annum

Ø Conversion:  Conversion to shares at a 10% discount to the 90-day VWAP

The funds are planned to be used to finance construction of transmission line infrastructure to connect the Lesedi Project to the Botswana Power Corporation power grid and to fund installation of generation assets and ancillary costs to facilitate power generation and sale of electricity.

The Note has a fixed interest rate of 7.75% p.a. payable every six months. Interest may be capitalised for the first 18 months.

The Note can be converted to ordinary shares on exercise of the conversion option by BPOPF at a 10% discount to the weighted average traded price of the Company's shares on the highest average volume exchange of the BSE/ASX/AIM over the 90 trading days prior to the maturity date.

Upon conversion of the Note into fully paid ordinary shares, the shares will rank pari passu with the Company's existing shares. The Company shall obtain all regulatory and shareholder approvals as applicable which shall be conditions precedent to the coming into force and effect of the Note and any obligations placed upon BPOPF to subscribe for the Note.  

Equity Investment

In addition to the Note, the Company and BPOPF have agreed preliminary terms for a further BWP 50m (~USD 5m) equity investment post 1 July 2022 which is conditional to legal agreements in relation to this process being prepared and finalised. Further details will be provided in due course.

Mr Moemedi Malindah, BPOPF CEO, said

"Tlou Energy is building vital assets and infrastructure for Botswana. We are committed to long-term support of the project and look forward to its continued success.

This is a long-term strategic investment, and we are very pleased to be able to support the Company and help bring clean reliable power and sustainable employment to Botswana."

Mr Tony Gilby, Tlou's Managing Director, said

"We are extremely grateful to BPOPF for their continued and unwavering support of the Company and look forward to working together in the long term to develop the Company to its full potential and bring a return to BPOPF and all our shareholders.

With funds now in place along with required approvals and agreements to commercialise our gas we look forward to pushing on with development."

About BPOPF

Botswana Public Officers Pensions Fund is the biggest pension fund in Botswana and Tlou's largest shareholder. The Fund was registered in 2001 and has experienced phenomenal growth since its inception. Further information can be found at www.bpopf.co.bw

By Authority of the Board of Directors

Mr. Anthony Gilby

Managing Director

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (withdrawal) Act 2018. The information is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

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For further information regarding this announcement please contact:

Tlou Energy Limited	[phone]
Tony Gilby, Managing Director
Solomon Rowland, General Manager
Grant Thornton (Nominated Adviser)	[phone]
Harrison Clarke, Colin Aaronson
Shore Capital (Broker)	[phone]
Toby Gibbs, John More
Public Relations
Ashley Seller	[phone]

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results.  No representation is made that any of those statements or forecasts will come to pass or that any forecast results will be achieved.  You are cautioned not to place any reliance on such statements or forecasts.  Those forward-looking and other statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. Save as required by any applicable law or regulation, Tlou Energy Limited undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 

END

 

 

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