Solar developer FRV closed a $65 million DFI-backed loan this week to finance the development of the $93.3 million 51MW Al-Safawi solar plant in Jordan. Won with a highly competitive Round 2 tariff, DFI-backing was a must to get the project financed.

Telecom Italia’s largest and longest tenor export finance deal to date – an 11.5-year €279 million ($334 million) EKN-backed loan to finance the purchase of telecoms equipment from Ericsson – proved cheaper and more flexible than capital markets options.

Tajikstan has startled bond investors with its debut Eurodollar issue – a deal designed to finance construction of the 3600MW Rogun hydroelectric power project. But the bigger mystery is why it came to market at all.

Concurrent with the imminent launch of a refinancing of Gunvor’s $1.67 billion revolving credit facility (RCF), the borrower is at the centre of a storm of allegations regarding its past conduct in Congo-Brazzaville. While the legal battle is unlikely to deter lenders, reputational risk could begin to impact debt pricing in commodity finance.

The partnership between banks and digital providers is growing, but does it guarantee digital growth and inventory savings for trade finance, or is it all for show?