Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC)
Last updated on 26 Feb 2024

Key facts


ECIC is underwritten by the government of South Africa with a mandate to facilitate export, trade, and cross-border investments between South Africa and the rest of the world.

Block C7 & C8 Eco Origins
Office Park
349 Witch Hazel Avenue
Highveld Ext 79, Centurion
South Africa 0157

+27 12 471 3800

www.ecic.co.za
PUBLIC
2001
Credit rating (sovereign) (Fitch)
BB-
Foreign currency

Berne Union

Authorizations and exposure


FY 2022 sectors insured

Power
31%
Telecommunications
30%
Other construction
13%
Infrastructure
13%
Mining
5%

FY 2022 insurance

Africa

76 %

Middle East

24 %

Financing modalities


`
Up to 100%

Products


  • Insures exporter against any political event of loss prior to shipment preventing the execution of the contract
  • Pre-shipment political risk insurance at 85% of actual costs incurred executing contract (profit excluded)
  • Used by exporters to offer better credit terms to foreign buyers for pre and post-delivery
  • Cover up to 100% political risk as long as maximum amount of loss is not more than 90% of the South African contract value
  • Policy can be pledged to a bank
  • Available to insure financial institutions lending to corporate or sovereign buyers, or a project finance entity
  • Maximum: Up to 85% of contract price
  • Project finance criteria includes (but is not limited to):
    • Independent feasibility study
    • Shareholders equity contribution of at least 30% (preferably in cash)
    • Debt-equity ratio must be maintained throughout the life of the project
    • Acceptable payment mechanism (e.g., escrow account, off-take agreement)
    • Completion guarantee by project owners
    • Technical and financial management agreement
    • Maintenance contracts to be entered into with South African suppliers
    • Raw material and other inputs contracts must be assured
    • Sufficient all-risk insurance
    • Assets mortgaged and pledged to the lenders
    • Host country’s environmental standards must be in place
    • Project must have positive socio-economic impact
  • Cover for South African boat builders expanding exporting capabilities
  • Used for pre-export working capital or advance payment guarantee facilities
  • Eligibility:
    • Boat price up to approximately USD 20 million
    • Purchase agreement between South African exporter and foreign buyer
    • Boat builder must sign recourse deed with ECIC; security registered over the boat; boat builder shall cede the rights under its commercial insurance
  • Term: Up to 5 years; minimum 6 months for working capital
  • Criteria:
    • Demonstration of employment creation or maintenance
    • Boat maker to be in same line of business for 2 years; demonstrate latest 2 years’ performance and technical capabilities; and other credit criteria
  • Benefit to foreign buyer in support of South African exporter that has failed to fulfill its contractual obligations; usually for contractors
  • Term: Linked to the underlying supply contract
  • Maximum bond value: Up to 10% of the contract value and can be increased with board approval on a case-by-case basis
  • Risk participation agreement: ECIC insures a bank for a portfolio of bonds issued on various contractors/exporters
  • Corporate loan facility to South African exporters for export contracts
  • Maximum amount: Up to USD 20 million
  • Tenor: 5 years (door-to-door)
  • Quick approval process, simple documentation, and minimal security required
  • Covered loan from an eligible lender and to foreign financial institution, the proceeds of which are on-lent to buyers of South African goods and services
  • Payment default is placed on the foreign bank since it is the borrower of record
  • Maximum credit amount: USD 20 million
  • Tenor: Up to 5 years (or longer, on a case-by-case basis)
  • Cover: 100% cover for both political and commercial
  • Transactions require board approval
  • Cover provided against political risk insurance causes of loss which prevents the foreign business to operate as envisaged for at least 1 year, and/or produce profits for 3 consecutive years
  • Term: Up to 15 years
  • Maximum liability: 90% of investment plus retained profits/dividends up to the insured amount over the life of the investment (capped at 200% of investment)
  • Eligibility:
    • Cash investment
    • Shareholder/non-shareholder loans
  • Lease and return of plant/equipment insurance cover
    • Cover: Up to 100%

Policies


  • Support transactions in ZAR and USD
  • Down payment requirement:
    • At least 15% of the export contract value must be paid directly to the exporter by the buyer before the starting repayment of the loan facility
    • Of this 15%, at least 5% should be received upon contract signature
  • Content eligibility:
    • 70% South African content unless projects are located in Africa, then 50% South African local content and 20% from any other African country
    • Eligible content can be materials less imported components
    • Wages and salaries (paid in South Africa and/or other African country)
    • Freight costs (paid in South Africa and/or other African country)
    • Insurance premiums
    • Finance charges (excluding post-delivery)
    • Fees and charges paid for any other services performed on the exporters’ behalf by a South African and/or other African resident organization
    • Fees and profits accruing to the exporter
  • Tenor:
    • Greater than 2 years, and up to 15 years
    • Infrastructure projects up to 20 years (door-to-door)
  • Political risk events: Expropriation, nationalization, confiscation, transfer restrictions, war and civil disturbance, breach of contract, protracted default, terrorism, sabotage, and piracy
  • Commercial risk events: Insolvency, protracted default
  • ECIC does not cover hedging and does not take documentation risk
  • Adheres to anti-bribery, environmental and social impact, and sustainable lending policies as part of its mandate
  • Strategic focus on supporting trade with Africa and other emerging markets
  • Black industrialist support programme:
    • No assessment fees are charged
    • Insurance risk cover support on unsecured basis
    • Start-up BI companies/projects will be supported essentially on the basis of the strength of business plan and executive management’s skills and experience in the concerned sector
    • A BI export project to a maximum value of USD 20 million will be covered on the basis of 100% political and commercial risks
    • Processed and consumable products may be covered provided they are in the designated IPAP sectors
    • BI must be operating in a short list of sectors
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