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Home Lead-In

Nigeria, 14 Others Have Weak Sovereign Ratings – World Bank

by Adekunle Munir
1 year ago
in Lead-In
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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The World Bank’s latest report, “The Great Reversal: Prospects, Risks, and Policies in International Development Association (IDA) Countries,” has highlighted Nigeria and 14 other nations as having weak credit ratings for sovereign bonds.

These countries, classified as needing substantial support due to their lower income status, include Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Maldives, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, and Zambia.

According to the report, synchronised interest rate hikes in advanced economies in response to inflation have tightened global financing conditions, resulting in a significant expansion of the median sovereign bond spread for IDA countries. This tightening has led to higher borrowing costs, sidelining IDA countries with weak credit ratings from global capital markets and resulting in minimal bond issuance over the past two years.

The report highlights a troubling trend of widening fiscal deficits, leading to a significant rise in public debt relative to GDP in these nations. The median government debt-to-GDP ratio in IDA countries increased by approximately 6.7 per cent-points from 2019 to 2023, nearly tripling the increase observed in other emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

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Fiscal strains are evident in the rising proportion of government revenues allocated to interest payments. In 2023, net interest payments relative to government revenues rose to 7.3 per cent in IDA countries, diverting crucial resources from essential government outlays on education, health, and infrastructure.

The report also notes that more than half of IDA countries assessed in debt sustainability analysis conducted by the World Bank and the IMF are either in acute debt distress or at high risk thereof.

Despite efforts to address fiscal challenges, Nigeria’s credit outlook remains a point of concern. While Moody’s upgraded Nigeria’s credit outlook from stable to positive in December 2023, structural weaknesses in fiscal and external positions persist.

Fitch and Standard and Poor’s have also cautioned about Nigeria’s credit rating due to factors such as high interest payments to revenue ratio and challenges in managing inflation and currency depreciation.

In response to the challenging financial environment, Nigeria is considering issuing Eurobonds and domestic bonds denominated in foreign currency. However, the process requires approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Assembly, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).

 

Tags: MozambiqueNigerNigeriaSovereignworld bank
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Lead-In

Providus Bank has acquired the 34% equity stake held by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in Unity Bank Plc, marking a decisive step toward the long-anticipated merger between the two financial institutions. The deal, valued at about N6.5 billion, saw AMCON offload its decade-old holding in Unity Bank to Providus at a price of N3.18 per share, representing a 110per cent premium to the bank’s prevailing market value of N1.50 on the Nigerian Exchange. Industry analysts said the transaction signals a turning point for Unity Bank, which has faced prolonged struggles with weak capitalisation, rising non-performing loans, and declining market relevance. By transferring AMCON’s strategic stake, they noted, Providus has strengthened its hand as it pushes for regulatory approvals to consummate a full merger. AMCON acquired its Unity Bank stake during the 2011–2012 banking sector clean-up after the global financial crisis exposed balance sheet vulnerabilities across second-tier lenders. Its divestment, according to banking sources, underscores the corporation’s gradual exit from long-held equity positions as it focuses on recovering toxic assets and reducing its systemic footprint. “AMCON’s sale to Providus is significant not just for Unity Bank but for the entire financial system,” said a Lagos-based investment banker. “It shows the government is serious about cleaning up legacy interventions while paving the way for stronger private-sector-led banks.” Unity Bank shareholders are set to benefit from the deal’s pricing structure. At N3.18 per share, Providus’ offer more than doubles the bank’s trading value, giving investors a rare premium exit in a market where bank stocks often trade at steep discounts. For minority shareholders, the merger if approvedcould also unlock value by combining Providus’ niche strength in corporate banking and digital services with Unity Bank’s broader retail and SME base. Providus, one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing mid-tier lenders, is widely seen as using the Unity Bank deal to accelerate its ambition of achieving national bank status. By absorbing Unity’s branch network and customer base, the lender would scale its operations beyond its current limited licence, positioning itself to compete more aggressively with tier-one institutions. “The synergies are clear,” said a senior Unity Bank executive familiar with the talks. “Providus brings balance sheet strength and digital innovation, while Unity offers reach and brand equity, especially in northern Nigeria.” Following AMCON’s divestment, the proposed merger will be subject to approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Unity Bank shareholders. Both banks are expected to present a detailed merger scheme in the coming months, outlining share swap ratios, post-merger governance, and capital plans. Market watchers say regulatory scrutiny will focus on whether the combined entity meets CBN’s revised recapitalisation thresholds, which mandate higher minimum capital bases for Nigerian banks. The Providus–Unity transaction comes amid a wave of consolidation moves triggered by the CBN’s ongoing recapitalisation drive. Several lenders are exploring mergers, acquisitions, or fresh capital injections to meet compliance deadlines ahead of 2026. “This is the first big-ticket transaction of the recapitalisation era,” said a financial markets analyst. “It won’t be the last.”

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