December 24, 2008
Colombia Movil, operator of the wireless brand Tigo, has secured a $125m loan through its parent, Luxembourg-based Millicom. The 5-year facility through ABN AMRO pays Libor plus 450bp, according to a banker with knowledge of the transaction. Rather than syndicate the deal, ABN has agreed to sell pieces to institutional investors in northern Europe, leveraging Millicom’s status there. With about 10% of Colombia’s wireless market, Colombia Movil will use funds to continue expanding its network. The telecom secured $600m in loans from the IDB last year. Millicom bought Colombia Movil for $479m in 2006. In October, ABN joint led with Standard Bank a $200m bridge loan to help fund the $510m acquisition of El Salvador-based cable provider Amnet.