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AfDB Issues Inaugural Local Currency Bond in the Nigerian Capital Market

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Arunma Oteh, DG, Securities and Exchange Commission
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After receiving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria’s approval to establish a NGN 160 billion Medium Term Note (MTN) Programme and “No Objection” from the SEC to start the book building process on June 6, 2014, the African Development Bank (AfDB) or the “Bank”) proceeded to tap the market for its maiden local currency issuance in the Nigerian capital market.

The AfDB launched a 7-year, semi-annual fixed rate coupon bearing bond structured with a 3-year grace period preceding a 4-year amortising profile on principal, introducing a new instrument into the domestic market and adding another issuance into the supranational asset class.

 The Bank successfully raised NGN 12.95 billion, issuing at a discount of about 75 bps below the comparable reference point on the government yield curve (Federal Government of Nigeria 27 Jan 2022) to price at 11.25%.

The book building commenced on June 20 with a closing date on July 4 and the settlement of the proceeds occurred on July 11.

The AfDB’s MTN Programme is the first ever to be established by a supranational issuer in the Nigerian capital market, and the amount raised also represents the largest ever issuance, and also the longest maturity instrument in its asset class to be introduced to the Nigerian market.

Acceptance of the issue in the market was also further evidenced and demonstrated by the diverse category of investors to whom the securities were distributed (including pension funds, asset managers, banks and insurance companies).   

Pierre Van Peteghem, Treasurer of the African Development Bank Group, outlined the importance and significance of the transaction to the Bank as it marks its inaugural issuance in the Nigerian market, given the size and relative sophistication of this market and Nigeria being the Bank’s largest shareholder.

He added that “issuances in the local markets allow the Bank to lend to its borrowers in local currencies thereby eliminating their currency risks; and to participate in the development of African capital markets by providing a new investment product to the local institutional investors.”

The Bank’s local currency bonds are structured to match the underlying projects to which the Bank will lend the proceeds.

The proceeds of the maiden NGN issuance will be lent to a client who will use the funds to finance local SMEs and some infrastructure projects.  

This issuance marks the AfDB’s third domestic bond issue in Africa, outside of South Africa. The Bank previously issued two local currency bonds in Uganda in August 2012 and May 2013.

“The Nigerian Naira issuance confirms the AfDB’s commitment to launch more local currency bonds across the continent, with proceeds used to provide local currency loans to the Bank’s clients. This will enable us to better respond to client needs, particularly with respect to mitigating the foreign exchange risks posed by hard currency loans,” said Van Peteghem.

AfDB was advised on this transaction by Stanbic IBTC Capital (a member of the Standard Bank Group) and Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria, a wholly owned subsidiary of the FirstRand Group.

As part of its Local Currency Initiative, the AfDB has issued, since 2005, a series of offshore bonds linked to the Botswana Pula, Ghana Cedi, Kenya Shilling, Tanzania Shilling, Uganda Shilling, Zambian Kwacha and the Nigerian Naira.

The Bank currently has authorization to issue domestically in over 10 African markets including, the CFA Franc zone, Zambia, Ghana, Egypt, Tanzania and Kenya.

The African Development Bank is currently celebrating its 50-year anniversary, with over 4,500 projects approved amounting to over USD 118 billion since its creation in 1964, in various sectors including agriculture and rural development, financial intermediation, industry and manufacturing, and education and health.


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E-Financial

Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

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Ecobank Nigeria has moved to retire the remaining part of its $300 million Eurobond before maturity. The bank has launched a tender offer for holders of its 7.125% senior notes due February 2026.

The bank announced the offer on Friday, 28 November 2025, inviting investors to tender their holdings ahead of schedule. Of the original $300 million issuance, $150 million remains outstanding.

Under the terms, investors whose notes are accepted for repurchase will receive $1,000 for every $1,000 in principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the settlement date. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31 December 2025.

Ecobank said the early repayment move is part of a broader strategy to optimise its balance sheet and strengthen capital planning flexibility. The lender added that the tender offer gives investors an opportunity to exit the instrument ahead of the original February 2026 maturity.

In a statement, the bank said the initiative underscores its “commitment to transparent engagement with funding partners and investors,” stressing that the offer supports its long-term goal of maintaining a well-structured debt profile.

Participation in the programme is voluntary, and investors will make decisions based on their individual considerations, the bank added.

Ecobank emphasised that the announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Eligible noteholders are expected to rely on the formal tender documents when deciding whether to take part.

 


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Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

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The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating deductions of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants has given commercial banks a four-day deadline to submit all requested documents.

Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

House of Rep

The committee, chaired by Hon. Kelechi Nwogwu, issued the ultimatum at the commencement of its investigation, following a motion earlier moved by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, on alleged deductions from civil servants’ salaries.

Nwogwu insisted that Chief Executive Officers of affected financial institutions must appear in person before the panel, rejecting representatives sent by GT Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other banks.

He explained that the panel was mandated to ensure that all deductions of charges by banks on customers’ accounts were fair and properly applied.

The committee disclosed that invitations had also been extended to the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and all commercial banks operating in Nigeria.

“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are here on the mandate of the people who elected us into parliament. We have resolved to meet next week on Wednesday.

“You must submit all requested documents by Monday, May 1,” Nwogwu said.

He warned that any bank that failed to comply with the deadline would face sanctions, adding that the committee would put the CEOs on oath during the next sitting.

The investigation continues next week.


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SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.

SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.

The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.

SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.

At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.

CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).

Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.

 


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