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Economy

Market Gains N162bn as Traders Cherry-Pick Stocks

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By Dipo Olowookere

The last trading session of this week ended positive as investors continue to select some equities selling at very low prices at the market.

At the close of Thursday’s session, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) appreciated by 1.47 percent, shrinking the year-to-date loss to 20.33 percent.

The positive performance of the bourse was boosted by stocks in the banking, consumer goods, energy and insurance sectors as their respective performance indicators closed higher by 3.96 percent, 5.03 percent, 1.36 percent and 0.32 percent. Only the industrial goods counter closed bearish by 0.57 percent.

Business Post reports that the All-Share Index (ASI) increased yesterday by 310.77 points to close at 21,384.03 points compared with Wednesday’s 21,073.26 points. Similarly, the market capitalisation appreciated by N162 billion to settle at N11.144 trillion in contrast to N10.982 trillion it ended the previous day.

However, the volume and value of shares transacted by market participants during the session declined by 9.09 percent and 3.78 percent respectively, while the number of deals increased by 16.46 percent.

Yesterday, 314.9 million shares worth N5.0 billion were exchanged in 5,427 deals as against the 346.4 million stocks worth N5.2 billion that exchanged hands in 4,660 deals the previous session.

FBN Holdings was investors’ delight during the session, selling 56.0 million shares worth N261.6 million, while UBA transacted 37.8 million stocks valued at N228.4 million.

Lafarge Africa traded 35.0 million shares for N444.4 million, GTBank sold 31.6 million equities valued at N596.1 million, while Zenith Bank traded 28.3 million shares for N388.4 million.

A look at the performance of stocks at the market yesterday, Nestle Nigeria was the best performing, appreciating by N65.20 to close at N830.20 per unit.

Seplat gained N4.90 to sell at N495 per share, Stanbic IBTC appreciated by N1.50 to close at N26 per unit, Dangote Sugar gained 95 kobo to trade at N10.70 per share, while Lafarge Africa appreciated by 85 kobo to sell at N12.65 per unit.

On the flip side, BUA Cement was the worst performing stock on Thursday. Share price of the company’s stocks fell by 70 kobo to trade at N30.80 per unit.

SAHCO depreciated by 16 kobo to sell at N2 per share, NAHCO declined by 13 kobo to finish at N2.40 per unit, Red Star Express fell by 10 kobo to trade at N2.90 per share, while UAC Nigeria lost 5 kobo to settle at N7.05 per unit.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Economy

Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the newest members of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, has confirmed its intention to approach the capital market to raise funds, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

However, it denied reports suggesting it’s “set to undertake an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or related capital raising activity.”

In a notice on Monday, the firm affirmed proposing “to seek shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise additional capital, which may be through equity, debt, or a combination of both, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.”

“At this stage, the structure, timing, and details of any such capital raising have not been finalised, and no specific transaction has been concluded,” a part of the statement signed by the company secretary, Solomon Itsede, stressed.

Zichis expressed its commitment to upholding “the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and timely disclosure.”

“Accordingly, any material corporate actions or capital market activities will be formally communicated through the appropriate regulatory channels,” it said, advising shareholders and the investing public “to rely solely on official disclosures and filings made by the company through the NGX and other authorised regulatory platforms when making investment decisions.”

Zichis welcomed the “continued interest of investors and market participants in its operations and performance,” promising to remain focused on delivering sustainable value through disciplined strategic execution.

It also lauded the continued support of its shareholders, saying it remains committed to maintaining transparency in all its communications.

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Economy

NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to ensure transparency in reporting the Regional Electricity Transmission Loss Factor, as it remains above the 7 per cent threshold.

In a public notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the order, contained in No. NERC/2026/026 is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).

The regulator disclosed that the order is backed by the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which enables the commission to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the power sector.

According to the statement, the Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71 per cent in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24 per cent in 2025.

The statement added that the report exceeds the 7 per cent benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

The statement reads, “The Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.”

The directive reads, “NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.

“NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.

“NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.”

It added, “TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7 per cent approved benchmarks in the regions.

“TCN to ensure that TLF across transmission regions shall not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.”

NERC concluded that the order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting.

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Economy

Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares

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Dangote Refinery Crude Supply to Local Refineries

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to list shares of his $20 billion oil refinery on multiple African stock exchanges.

The landmark cross-border public offering on the continent was disclosed by the chief executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Mr Frank Mwiti, following a meeting held last week in Lagos between Mr Dangote and several heads of African exchanges.

Last year, Mr Dangote unveiled plans to list a 10 per cent stake in his Lagos-based refinery on the Nigerian Exchange this year.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing an email from the chief executive of FirstCap, Mr Ukandu Ukandu, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and FirstCap Limited have been appointed as advisers for the initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Mr Mwiti said the proposed listing is designed to cut across multiple markets and deepen investor participation across the continent.

“The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” he said.

Bloomberg also reported that a spokesman for the Dangote Group confirmed that discussions had taken place between Mr Dangote and exchange officials but declined to provide further details.

In February 2026, Mr Dangote said that the IPO could be launched within the next five months.

“But individually Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said at the time.

He added that investors would have flexibility in how they receive returns.

“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn in Dollars.”

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