TLG Capital (“TLG”) has closed a US$10million facility for VivaJets, a subsidiary of Nigerian aviation services platform Falcon Aerospace limited (“Falcon Aero”).
The financing was structured alongside Wema Bank, and will retire a legacy local‑currency facility used for aircraft acquisition and fleet growth.
Both TLG and VivaJets believe this to be the first internationally structured aviation financing for a Nigerian Air Operator, and funding will be applied to boost intra-African connectivity.
Tejumade Salami, chief operating officer of Falcon Aero, said:
“We spoke to many lenders; TLG solved it. Their structured-solutions mindset turned a complex funding puzzle into a single, bankable facility. In our industry, the ability to access long-tenor, USD-denominated capital is critical. With this facility, we have retired legacy obligations and can now focus fully on curating a seamless experience for our clients across the region. Our facility with TLG substantially reduces the amount of our revenue and cash flow that is spent on interest and debt service.”
Isha Doshi, Partner, TLG Capital, said:
“Africa’s growth story depends on connectivity. Falcon Aero is linking cities that global capital often overlooks, including tier-2 and tier-3 hubs where trade and opportunity are rising fastest. Aviation operators need long-duration capital at sensible rates. With our partners at Wema Bank and Falcon Aero, we are pleased to deliver a long-term financing solution that helps support highly skilled engineers, pilots, and workers in Nigeria’s aviation sector”
Also commenting, Oluwole Ajimisinmi, deputy managing director, Wema Bank said:
“This collaboration leverages TLG’s impact investment prowess and Wema Bank’s strong fiduciary capacity as a trusted Nigerian commercial bank, to provide the needed financial support for Falcon Aero, ultimately bridging the gap in financing for African businesses. This intelligent form of structuring is a credible example of how African financial institutions can crowd in private credit while maintaining strong risk discipline towards the goal of empowering African businesses with the funding they need to thrive and scale meaningfully”
Legal advisers to the transaction were Wigwe & Partners and Hannaford Turner for TLG Capital. The TLG Capital deal team comprised Ayoola Oladipupo and Aum Thacker.
From Falcon Aero, the transaction was led by Wuraola Adetiba, Kayode Adebiyi, and Seun Olajide.
Falcon Aero is a business aviation platform headquartered in Nigeria, established in 2022 to meet rising demand for charter services across Africa and beyond. Operating under a Nigerian Air Operator Certificate, the company has logged over 2,000 flight hours to date. Through its Nigerian and Canadian subsidiaries, Falcon Aero provides aircraft charter, acquisitions, and management solutions for African businesses, executives and high-net-worth individuals. Falcon Aero currently operates a fleet of aircraft, with two additional aircraft scheduled to join this year.
