Business
FG set to sell $500m bonds, eyes 200% subscription
FG set to sell $500m bonds, eyes 200% subscription
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched its Series I Domestic USD Bond, as it hopes to raise at least $500 million from local and international investors.
According to the auction circular seen by Nairametrics, the federal government hopes to double its offer amount as it targets $1 billion in subscriptions through this bond auction.
However, this auction comes at a time when five of Nigeria’s Eurobonds were ranked among the worst performers in a Bloomberg index of emerging and frontier sovereign debt.
According to the circular, the bond program has a total size of up to $2.0 billion, which can be upsized depending on the issuer’s discretion.
The bond has a five-year tenor, offering a medium-term investment opportunity for investors looking for stable returns.
It was also stated that the bond’s coupon rate is benchmarked to comparable FGN Eurobonds yields, ensuring competitive returns that align with international market standards.
Interest payments will be made semi-annually, providing regular income streams to investors and enhancing the bond’s appeal.
The bond offers bullet repayment at maturity in US dollars, ensuring full repayment of the principal amount at the end of the five-year term.
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The bond is open to Nigerians and non-Nigerians resident in Nigeria, Nigerians in the Diaspora, and Qualified Institutional Investors.
Also, it qualifies as an investment option for pension funds, broadening its investor base and ensuring widespread participation.
Investors can subscribe with a minimum amount of $10,000, with additional investments in multiples of $1,000 thereafter.
The offer opens and closes in August 2024, with specific dates to be announced soon. The bond will be settled in August 2024, aligning with the offer period.
FG to finance critical sectors with bond funds
The circular noted that the net proceeds from the bond will be ring-fenced and invested in critical sectors approved by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, subject to appropriation by the National Assembly (NASS).
It read: “As stated in the Presidential Executive Order, the net proceeds of the bonds and its accretion shall be ring-fenced and invested in critical sectors to be approved by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, subject to appropriation by the National Assembly (“NASS”).”
However, the government is yet to clarify the specific sector that will benefit from this financing.
The bond is exempt from income tax on the interest payable to bondholders. Additional exemptions are provided as specified in the exemption notice issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).
The bond will be listed and admitted for trading on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the Financial Market Dealers Quotation (FMDQ), providing liquidity and accessibility to a broad range of investors.
FG set to sell $500m bonds, eyes 200% subscription
Business
MTN, Airtel to share network infrastructure in Nigeria
MTN, Airtel to share network infrastructure in Nigeria
Airtel Africa has partnered with MTN Group to expand digital inclusion by sharing network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria.
In a statement in Lagos on Wednesday, Airtel said the sharing agreements aim to improve network cost efficiencies, expand coverage, and provide enhanced mobile services to millions of customers.
A sharing agreement is a formal arrangement between two or more parties to share resources, assets, or services.
According to the telecommunications company, the partnership will benefit customers in remote and rural areas who do not yet fully enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life.
Airtel assured that both parties will ensure the agreement complied with local regulatory and statutory requirements.
Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer (CEO) of Airtel Africa, said telecommunications companies are driving digital financial inclusion by building common infrastructure within the regulatory framework.
Taldar noted that the collaborative approach not only advances digital transformation and financial inclusion but also reduces the duplication of expensive infrastructure.
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As a result, Taldar said operational efficiencies are boosted, ultimately benefiting customers.
He further said telecoms continue to compete fiercely in the market, differentiating themselves through their brand, services, and offerings.
“The initiative is part of a growing global trend toward network sharing. By collaborating, telecoms operators can explore innovative and pro-competitive solutions to improve service quality while managing costs more effectively,” Taldar said.
“The sharing of infrastructure has the potential to enable the delivery of world-class, reliable mobile services to more and more customers across Africa.”
Taldar added that following the conclusion of agreements in Uganda and Nigeria, MTN and Airtel Africa are also exploring various opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.
Ralph Mupita, MTN Group CEO, said there is a need to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity to meet customers’ increasing demands.
“As MTN, we are driven by the vision of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress,” Mupita said.
“We continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets.
“To meet this demand, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers.”
Mupita added that there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher efficiencies and improve returns.
MTN, Airtel to share network infrastructure in Nigeria
Business
NNPCL in historic initial public offer, ready for capital market
NNPCL in historic initial public offer, ready for capital market
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that it is in the final stages of preparation for its much-anticipated listing on the capital market, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Chief Finance and Investor Relations Officer, Olugbenga Oluwaniyi, revealed the development during a consultative meeting with partners at the NNPC headquarters.
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He stated that NNPCL is currently engaging with potential investors through an exercise called the “NNPC Ltd. IPO Beauty Parade,” which aligns with capital market regulations ahead of its Initial Public Offer (IPO).
“According to the CFIO, the aim of the IPO Beauty Parade is to access potential partners and determine in what ways they could be of support to the company,” the statement explained.
The statement further highlighted that NNPCL is seeking partnerships in three key areas: Investor Relations, IPO Readiness Advisors, and Investment Banking Partners. Companies with the most competitive offers will be selected for each category.
An IPO is a public offering in which a company’s shares are sold to institutional investors. Under the PIA, NNPCL is required to list its shares on the capital market in compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990.
NNPCL in historic initial public offer, ready for capital market
Business
Naira rises to N1,560/$ in parallel market
Naira rises to N1,560/$ in parallel market
The Naira yesterday appreciated to N1, 560 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,570 per dollar on Wednesday. But the Naira depreciated to N1,540 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,540 per dollar from N1,539 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N1 depreciation for the naira.
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