Conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) said Thursday it is finalizing negotiations to sell a 40-percent stake in infrastructure arm Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading global infrastructure investor and a unit of US-based investment company BlackRock.
If finalized, the deal would be one of the largest foreign equity investments in Philippine infrastructure in recent years, AEV said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
The deal was discussed during a high-level meeting in the United States led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Aboitiz Group president and chief executive Sabin Aboitiz and GIP chairman and chief executive Bayo Ogunlesi.
GIP specializes in investing in and managing large-scale infrastructure assets worldwide. The firm manages more than $183 billion in assets, focusing on sectors such as energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and water and waste management.
AIC operates a diverse portfolio of infrastructure assets, including key investments in airports such as Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Laguindingan International Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport. The company also has projects in bulk water supply, economic estates and telecommunications towers.
“We are honored to explore this opportunity with Global Infrastructure Partners. Our shared vision of modern, world-class infrastructure aligns with the country’s ambitions for progress,” said Aboitiz.
“Together, we aim to deliver projects that improve lives and empower communities,” he said.
Ogunlesi said the investment reflects GIP’s confidence in the Philippine market.
“This collaboration marks a strong vote of confidence in the Philippines’ future. With global partners like GIP working alongside respected Filipino firms such as Aboitiz, we can build infrastructure that is more resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking,” said President Marcos Jr.
The deal is subject to confirmatory due diligence, regulatory approvals and the signing of definitive agreements.
