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FG, World Bank Seek Capital Market Solutions for Infrastructure Funding

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The World Bank has said that it is planning to introduce its joint capital markets programme (J-CAP) in Nigeria.FG, World Bank Seek Capital Market Solutions for Infrastructure Funding

The J-Cap, a World Bank initiative, helps developing economies strengthen their capital markets, aiming to increase funding for strategic sectors like infrastructure, housing, and agriculture

Patricia Canziani, global head of capital markets and housing, financial institutions at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), spoke when she led a World Bank Group delegation to a meeting with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in Abuja.

The IFC is a subsidiary of the World Bank Group.

According to a statement on Sunday by Ifeanyi Nwoko, acting head of media and publicity at the ICRC, the meeting focused on how to develop and unlock the capital market in Nigeria.

Speaking during the meeting, Canziani said the essence of the meeting was to gather information that would enable the global bank to introduce its the J-CAP in Nigeria.

She said there are a number of untapped interests from potential international investors.

“The purpose of our visit is to introduce the J-CAP programme which we have introduced to 20 countries Worldwide and the purpose of the programme is to work together with the stakeholders in Nigeria and identify ways to support the development and roles of the capital market in Nigeria,” Canziani said.

“The capital market holds many opportunities for funding PPP. The Nigerian capital market already has different products, but we can support the development of newer products in the country.”

Canziani also commended the ICRC for its role in regulating public-private partnerships (PPPs), urging it to work with other players to develop new products and build investor confidence.

On his part, Jobson Ewalefoh, director-general of the ICRC, said the visit of the team was important as it could redefine the space of infrastructure development in Nigeria.

He said alternative finance options like the capital market to fund PPPs are at the heart of his innovative financing policy agenda.

Ewalefoh also said funding is at the core of infrastructure development, hence, unlocking the capital market would be a milestone.

“The World Bank and IFC were here to see what we can do in unlocking the potentials of the capital market in funding infrastructure development,” ICRC DG said.

“We deliberated on the opportunities, the challenges and the importance of having access to the huge funds available in the capital market to fund infrastructure.

“In my deliberation, I focused more on the potential for investors to invest in Nigeria based on the viability and bankability of projects in Nigeria.

“At the end of the day, we agreed that viability is not a problem but there are other risks that investors were weary of and also the lack of information about the opportunities that abound in Nigeria as a key investment destination.”

He, however, urged the global bank to do more in supporting Nigerian government agencies with funds and capacity development to come up with more eligible pipelines of projects.

Ewalefoh said the ICRC would do more to communicate the investment potential of Nigeria, adding that there is a nexus between the investment opportunities in Nigeria and the role the capital market can play in tapping into those potentials.

 


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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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