Source: Rand Merchant Bank |

Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Acts as Global Coordinator and Active Bookrunner on Bank of Industry’s Inaugural €700m Eurobond

RMB was appointed as global coordinator and active bookrunner for the transaction alongside other banks

International issuance by West African clients has continued to grow and RMB is proud to have had the opportunity to assist an indigenous entity to access capital for growth

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 11, 2022/APO Group/ --

Rand Merchant Bank’s (RMB) (www.RMB.co.za) International Debt Capital Markets (DCM) team assisted Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria’s largest, oldest and most profitable Development Finance Institution (DFI) to issue a EUR700m Eurobond by way of 144A/RegS Senior Note Participation Notes, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

BOI, the first African National DFI to issue a public Eurobond, has a vision of transforming Nigeria’s industrial sector by providing financial and business advisory services for the establishment of large, medium and small enterprises, as well as for the modernisation of existing businesses.

BOI’s mandate is guided by Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2025 and Agenda 2050, which have the objective of lifting a hundred million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years. The institution is tasked with providing financing for the development of micro, small and large entreprises. This deal represents the institution’s first Eurobond, the provision of the sovereign’s first Eurobond guarantee, as well as the first Euro-denominated transaction from Nigeria, creating a benchmark for other prospective issuers from the region.

The five-year, Euro-denominated senior note instrument is guaranteed by the Federal Government of Nigeria and issued at a yield of 7.500%. BOI’s expectation was to raise up to EUR500m, but successfully raised EUR700m after a 1.5 times oversubscribed orderbook comprising of high-quality buy-and-hold international investors. The transaction was preceded by an extensive three-day global virtual roadshow, including a global investor call, primarily involving engagement with investors across UK, Continental Europe and the US.

The notes are to be listed on the London Stock Exchange and have ratings of B2 (Stable outlook) and B (Stable outlook) from ratings agencies Moody’s and Fitch respectively.

RMB was appointed as global coordinator and active bookrunner for the transaction alongside other banks, with RMB assisting the issuer to ensure that BOI’s unique credit story and developmental impact was best articulated to a diverse global investor base.

Said Chidi Iwuchukwu, Head of Investment Banking, RMB West Africa: “It is extremely satisfying to work closely with the Nigerian DFI to bring to fruition their developmental objectives to create jobs and enable growth and sustainability for businesses in different sectors of Nigerias economy. International issuance by West African clients has continued to grow and RMB is proud to have had the opportunity to assist an indigenous entity to access capital for growth, globally.”

Said Suliyat Adeleke, DCM Transactor at RMB: “As a DCM banker pursuing opportunities in Nigeria for a number of years, the success of the transaction is very fulfilling. Being Nigerian-British, I am ecstatic at the opportunity to be of service to one of my countries. As a member of the Nigerian female youth in the diaspora, I am excited about this transaction and feel personally vested in BOI’s success, as empowerment of Nigerian Youths and Women is a core part of BOI’s developmental mandate. I am also proud of BOI’s efforts and wish the institution success in achieving its vision.”

As of November 2021, BOI has total assets of US$4.3bn and has a 60+ year developmental track record. The Institution supports projects with potential developmental impact and has supported circa three million enterprises and created seven million jobs since 2015. The Bank has also focused on emerging sectors that are typically underserved by other financial institutions such as the youth segment, female-owned businesses, renewable energy and the entertainment industry.                                                                    

Olukayode Pitan, Managing Director and Chief Executive at BOI, said the issuance is aligned with Agenda 2050 and Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2025: “BOI has been in operation for over 60 years with a significant understanding of the Nigerian banking sector. Our developmental mandate is guided by the National Development Plan 2025 and primary drivers of our strategy is to provide lower interest rates, job/value creation, women & youth empowerment and sustainability, to name a few.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rand Merchant Bank.

Issued by:
Rand Merchant Bank
Johannesburg, South Africa
(GMT+2)

Contact:
Suliyat Adeleke
Transactor, RMB International Debt Capital Markets
London, UK
Suliyat.Adeleke@rmb.co.uk

Joandra Griesel
Marketing and Communications
RMB [South Africa]
joandra.griesel@rmb.co.za       

About RMB:
Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) is a leading African Corporate and Investment Bank and part of one of the largest financial services groups (by market capitalisation) in Africa – FirstRand Bank Limited. We offer our clients innovative, value-added advisory, funding, trading, corporate banking and principal investing solutions.

We offer our clients innovative, value-added advisory, funding, trading, corporate banking and principal investing solutions.

At RMB we are passionate about solving problems for our clients by asking the hard questions. We challenge accepted thinking. We analyse and seek solutions beyond the obvious. We are innovative in our thinking and turn challenges into opportunities. We call ourselves Solutionist Thinkers who deliver on Traditional values. Innovative ideas.

Our ability to think differently, our collaborative spirit, our client-centric solutions and our belief that great minds don’t always have to think alike, is what sets us apart.

As the Corporate and Investment arm of FirstRand Bank Limited (which is wholly owned by FirstRand Limited), we have access to a network of retail banks in 25 African countries, including representative offices and branches in the UK, India and China.