News and developments on African capital markets, includes: African securities, African stock exchanges/stock markets, African equities, African bonds, African private equity/venture capital, and African social impact investment
2012 could be an active year for African bonds and particularly eurobonds, judging by the 5.5 times oversubscription for the Namibia’s debut $500 million, 10-year Eurobond. However, timing and terms of issues will be crucial in the turbulent markets.
Developing Africa’s securities exchanges is critical for the continent’s development, with capital markets standing between huge demand for capital for growth and huge demand to invest. The key issues are on the agenda of The 15th Annual African Securities Exchange Association conference (in Marrakesh, Morocco), hosted by Casablanca Stock Exchange, 12-13 December.
Ethiopia has raised Birr 7 billion ($408 million) of debt to finance the $4.8 bn Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile River, and plans to issue more bonds to raise the finance domestically.
Nigerian regulator, the Securities & Exchange Commission, is travelling the country to build education and awareness. SEC Director General Arunma Oteh, SEC Commissioners and senior officials visited Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, for 4 days of meetings with stakeholder groups.
Kenyan private equity firm TransCentury is to list through introduction at the Nairobi Stock Exchange on 14 July at a price of KES50 (USD0.58) a share. The firm began as an investment club and is valued at KES13.35 billion ($148.7 million).
Egypt is chasing its short-term domestic market to fund ballooning Government deficits, but seems to be preparing for a new Eurobond issue to replace $1 bn in 8.75% Eurobonds maturing in July. US President Barack Obama’s May guarantee on $1 billion of Egyptian debt could cut the country’s borrowing costs by $100 mn.
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Nigeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank is coming to the market with a $500 million Eurobond, which may roll out into a $2 billion offering. The bank is listed on the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.
Senegal bond compared to other African bonds and emerging markets bonds.
Senegal has successfully re-priced its yield curve by issuing a more liquid 10-year $500 million Eurobond carrying a coupon of 8.75%. The bond was priced at 97.57 when it was bid on 6 May, the equivalent of a yield of 9.125%.