Development partners have committed $30 billion to boost food production in Africa over the next five years, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) said on Friday at the close of a summit on food security on the continent. The continent is facing its worst food crisis ever, with more than one in five …read more →
Banking and Finance
Local oil refiners seek CBN, NNPC support to grow production
The Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN), the umbrella body of local refiners have appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to create a crude refinery intervention fund similar to the agricultural credit fund or the pharmaceutical fund domiciled at the apex bank to drive effective business operations in the country. They have also …read more →
Access Bank Promotes 800 Employees as it Transitions to Holdco Structure
Access Bank PLC has announced the promotion of 800 employees following a transparent and robust performance management review in line with global best practices. This announcement comes as the financial giant shores up its transition to a Holding Company (Holdco) starting May 1st, 2022. The Bank’s consistent growth over the years has been due to …read more →
PIDG’s Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Anchors $420mn Bond Issuance
Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company, the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) was an anchor investor in a recent successful bond issue by African telecommunications and digital company Axian Telecom. It raised US$420 million (€369.31 million). EAIF has invested US$20 million (€17.59 million) in the bond, scaled back from an original commitment of up to …read more →
Nigeria’s Fintech Firm Flutterwave Raises $250 Mn Fresh Capital
Africa-focused fintech firm Flutterwave said on Wednesday it had raised $250 million in its single-biggest funding round to date, valuing the startup at more than $3 billion, as it targets mergers and acquisitions, and growing existing customer base. The latest funding round was led by investors including Facebook Inc co-founder Eduardo Saverin’s venture capital firm …read more →
Nigeria Posts $3.68 Bn Balance of Payment Surplus in Q3 2021
Nigeria’s balance of payment account recorded a surplus of $3.68 billion at the end of September, 2021, the first surplus in 10 consecutive quarters, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) report showed. The report showed that Nigeria recorded its first current account surplus in almost three years, as the combination of an increase in net …read more →
Fitch Says Rising Sovereign Debt Could Hit Ratings in Sub-Saharan Africa
A rise in government debt/GDP would be a potential negative rating action trigger for most sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) sovereigns, particularly those whose ratings are on negative outlook, said Fitch Ratings. “Efforts to contain COVID-19 outbreaks have hurt economic activity, weighing on tax revenues, even as public expenditure pressures have risen with demands for additional healthcare …read more →
FCTA to Borrow N200bn for Infrastructure Development
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has stated that it would have to borrow in the region of N200 billion to fund infrastructure development, such as roads and water projects across the Territory. FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, made this known in Abuja during the inauguration of a Technical Committee on the proposed FCT …read more →
Sanwo-Olu: Lagos Will Explore NGX To Fund Infrastructure Projects
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that the State will explore capital raising via Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to fund infrastructure projects through equities, green, Sukuk, and Blue Bonds. Sanwo-Olu further expressed confidence in the opportunities available in the capital market and indicated an interest in deepening synergies between the State and …read more →
With National Policy on 5G, ABSA Sees Opportunity for Economic Growth in Nigeria
Given the success recorded last December in the auction of the two slots in the 3.5GHz spectrum, in preparation for 5G technology rollout in Nigeria, coupled with the commitment of the federal government on 5G rollout this month, Absa, a leading pan-African Corporate and Investment Bank has said it is fully aligned with government’s aspiration …read more →