Business
Nigeria’s Eurobonds Debts Rise By $9.37bn In Five Years
Commercial loans obtained by Nigeria through Eurobonds rose from $1.50bn as of December 31, 2015 to $10.87bn as of December 31, 2020, indicating a $9.37bn or 625 per cent increase in five years.
The debt stock remained at $1.5bn from 2015 to 2016, but rose to $6bn by 2017, indicating a $4.5bn or 300 per cent rise within a year.
It further rose to $10.87bn in 2018, signifying an increase by $4.87bn or 81 per cent.
It remained at this figure till the end of 2020.
However, the Federal Government still intends to seek more funding through Eurobonds, which would increase Nigeria’s Eurobonds debt stock.
The PUNCH reported that the Federal Government had appointed transaction advisers to facilitate the issuance of Eurobonds in the international capital market, according to a statement issued by the Debt Management Office.
The institutions approved by the Federal Executive Council as transaction advisers include JP Morgan, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, Goldman Sachs, Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Services Ltd, FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd, White & Case LLP, and Banwo& Ighodalo.
The DMO said it would speed up Eurobonds issuance activities based on the transaction advisers ‘approval, with the issuance of Eurobonds raising funds for the New External Borrowing of N2.34tn (about $6.2bn) provided in the 2021 Appropriation Act to partly finance the deficit.
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It added that the funds raised would be used to finance different projects in the budget, while boosting foreign exchange inflow, increasing Nigeria’s external reserves, and supporting the naira exchange rate.
The PUNCH had also reported that the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, during press briefing in Abuja on Monday said that the government planned to raise about €3bn through Eurobonds to fund budget deficit.
She had said, “We have an approval in the 2021 budget to fund the budget deficit 50 per cent locally and 50 per cent externally.
“So, the 50 per cent external borrowing is 6.1bn euros. We are planning to do about half of that in Eurobonds and the other half through other windows such as multilateral and bilateral sources.”
She further stated that the government was borrowing responsibly by borrowing to invest in infrastructure that would later yield revenue.
Business
Again, Dangote Refinery Hikes Fuel Price
Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75, bringing the price up to N1,350 per litre from the previous price of N1,275.
This is the first fuel increase by the Refinery in the month of May.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Price
This latest development is coming seven days after the refinery raised its ex-depot price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
Recall that the refinery on April 29 increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.
Business
Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO
Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”
He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.
Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
“We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”
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According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.
The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.
He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.
According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.
READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South
He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.
“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.
“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.
“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”
When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”
Business
JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike
Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.
Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.
This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.
Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.
According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.
READ ALSO:Drivers Protest Fuel Increase, Raise Fares in Benin
However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.
This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.
Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.
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