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FEC approves $2.2bn external borrowing plan – Edun

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $2.2 billion financing programme for external borrowing, including a potential Eurobond and Sukuk bond offer.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, made this known while briefing newsmen after the FEC meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“We just had the Federal Executive Council meeting, and I am privileged to present two memoranda to the Federal Executive Council.

” The first one was to complete the borrowing programme of the Federal Government in terms of external borrowing with the approval of a $2.2 billion financing programme.

” It is made up of access to the international capital market for some combination of the Euro bond offer and the Sukuk bond offer, and perhaps a Euro bond of about $1.7 billion.

“Sukuk financing of another $500 million the actual makeup of the financing which will be done as soon as the National Assembly has considered and hopefully approve the borrowing plan.

“If the external borrowing approval is given, it will be done this year, as soon as possible after approval.”

He explained that the actual combination of instruments that would be raised would depend on what the advisors would say about market conditions at the time of the decision to enter the market.

“Of course, earlier in the year, we had shown the resilience of the Nigerian financial markets, and the depth of their capacity, the increased complexity and sophistication by having a domestic issuance of dollar bonds, which attracted Nigerian investors from far and wide.

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“Likewise, being able to access the international capital market is also a sign of the acceptance and the support for the macroeconomic programmes of President Bola Tinubu-led administration,” he said.

The minister said that the economic recovery and revival programme to turn around the economy focused on macroeconomic pillars of market pricing of the PMS and of foreign exchange.

He also disclosed that FEC had approved the Ministry of Finance’s incorporated real estate investment fund.

According to him, the fund is the basis for the revival and the return of long-term mortgage financing to the Nigerian economy.

“The Morph Real Estate Investment Fund is going to be, in the first instance, a N250 billion fund that will provide low-cost and long-term mortgages to Nigerians that want to acquire houses.

” It will help to complete or help to fill part of the gaping 22 million unit housing deficit. Of course, it will create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

“It will also pave the way for other investors in the private sector to come in and participate in the all-important housing construction industry with huge benefits and knock-on effects throughout the whole economy.

“Long-term investors have the opportunity to earn market rates of interest on investment.

“This is going to be blended with seed funding of N150 billion,” he said. (NAN)

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PETROAN lauds NNPC Ltd, Dangote refinery over fuel price reduction

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The Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has commended the NNPC Retail Ltd. for slashing the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol from N920 to N875 per litre.

PETROAN said the bold move was expected to alleviate the financial burden on Nigerians amidst rising inflation.

In a statement on Monday, the National President of the association, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry praised the NNPC Retail Ltd. for taking proactive steps to support the Nigerian people.

“This price reduction will be a huge relief to many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet,” he said.

Gillis-Harry said the reduction in pump price was expected to positively impact Nigerians by reducing transportation costs, making it easier for people to commute and transport goods.

He said the reduced transportation costs would lead to reduced food prices, making it easier for Nigerians to access affordable food.

The PETROAN’s President also lauded Dangote Refinery for agreeing to refund N65 to retail outlet owners affected by the price reduction.

This refund initiative follows Dangote Refinery’s recent reduction of its gantry price from N890 per litre to N825 per litre.

According to the refinery, customers who purchased PMS at higher rates than the advertised prices from Dangote’s key partners are eligible for a refund.

The refund amount is N65 per litre on over 200,000 metric tonnes of PMS purchased by marketers at the old gantry price.

He said that Dangote had absorbed a N16 billion loss to implement these refunds, demonstrating its commitment to fair pricing and consumer welfare.

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The refund initiative, he said would also positively impact retail outlet owners, who would benefit from reduced prices and refunds.

“Many retail outlet owners purchased PMS at the higher rate before the price reduction, and the refund will help mitigate their losses.
“We commend Dangote Refinery for this initiative, which will help reduce the financial burden on our members,” Gillis-Harry said. (NAN)

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Dangote cement reports N3.58bn revenue growth in 2024

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Dangote Cement has reported a 62.2 per cent revenue growth, reaching N3,580.6 billion in 2024.

The company’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) also grew by 56.0 per cent to N1,388.2 billion, with a 38.6 per cent margin.

Arvind Pathak, Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, disclosed this in a corporate filing with the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX).

Pathak said “We wrapped up 2024 with strong momentum, driven by our focus on operational efficiency and excellence.

“Our group volume grew by 1.6 per year-on-year, reaching 27.7 Mt, driven by a strong recovery in Nigeria, where we improved efficiency and boosted sales growth by 7.9 per cent.

“A major milestone was the launch of the Document Management System (MMS), which enables customers to independently manage sales transactions and track deliveries, remotely.

DMS is the use of a computer and software to store, manage and track electronic documents and electronic images of paper-based information captured through the use of a document scanner.

“Over 80 per cent of our customers actively use this platform, and we aim to increase adoption to 90 per cent .

“Despite macroeconomic challenges, both globally and domestically, we remain committed to innovation and value creation, delivering strong returns for our stakeholders.”

He noted that the group’s revenue grew by 62.2 per cent to N3,580.6 billion, which was driven by a combination of volume growth and price adjustments to reflect inflationary trends.

He said as a result of this, the EBITDA reached a record high, surpassing the N1 trillion mark for the first time at N1,382.0 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) grew by 10.5 per cent year-on -year, totaling N503.2 billion.

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“Reflecting our strong financial performance, the board has proposed a dividend of ₦30.00 per share for the 2024 financial year.

“By leveraging our strong export-to-import strategy, Dangote Cement achieved a record 31 clinker shipments from Nigeria to Ghana and Cameroon, driving a 69.1 per increase in Nigerian exports and strengthening our commitment to Africa’s cement self-sufficiency.

“We also made significant strides in sustainability, particularly in alternative fuel investments.

“Our Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) improved to 10 per cent , with 11 alternative feed systems installed across our plants, enabling greater flexibility in energy sourcing.

“Recognising our sustainability efforts, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) upgraded Dangote Cement’s rating to B across both climate and water categories,” he said.

Looking ahead, Pathak noted that the group would remain focused on strengthening the Nigerian market position, enhancing productivity, and driving economic growth across its operating regions.

He said, “we are now set to commission our 3Mta Cote d’Ivoire grinding plant in 2025, further expanding our footprints to capitalise on the high-growth African cement market.” (NAN)

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NNPC Slashes Petrol Price To N880/Litre In Abuja, N860/Litre In Lagos

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By Abubakar Yunusa

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N860 per litre.

This decision comes amid an intensifying price war among major marketers and independent petroleum dealers, as well as fluctuations in global crude oil prices.

The new price, which took effect on Monday, marks a significant drop from the previous average of N920 per litre, offering relief to millions of Nigerians grappling with the high cost of living.

The reduction by NNPC, the country’s largest fuel supplier, has sparked a wave of competitive pricing among private marketers.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited had last week reduced the ex-depot price of petrol from N890 per litre to N825.The reduction marks the second price cut in February.

Dangote, in a public notice on the price slash, announced three filling stations in Lagos, which included MRS: N860 per litre, AP: N865 per litre, and Heyden: N865 per litre, as its partner off-takers.

While the price reduction has been welcomed by many, some Nigerians remain skeptical, questioning whether the drop is sustainable.

“This is good news, but we hope it’s not just a temporary move to calm the public,” said Adeola Ogunleye, a commercial bus driver in Lagos. “Fuel prices have been too high for too long, and we need lasting solutions

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