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Economy

Christmas Comes Early for Nigerian ETF Investors

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By Quantitative Financial Analytics

The Nigerian stock market has been showing great improvement since the beginning of May 2017 with most of the indices showing double digit returns.

The All-Share Index (ASI) now boasts of a YTD return of 27.02 percent, the NSE pension and Premium index are in an all-time high with returns of 49.65 percent and 35.4 percent respectively.

The Banking index is home with a YTD return of 51.92 percent and the NSE 30 index is smiling with 30.31 percent return, YTD.

It has never been this good, at least, in more recent years. The market rally has been propelled in part by the stability in the Naira exchange rate following the aggressiveness of the Central Bank and by the IMF’s statement that Nigeria is out of recession.

In addition to those, the recently released inflation report adds to the good news as well as Fitch’s “prophesy” on the improving foreign currency liquidity in Nigeria.

All those have combined to add a boost to the market. Believe it or not, the capture of Evans, the kidnap king pin has had its salutary effect on the market as it helps to douse fears about the security situation in Nigeria.

One investment type that has been riding the tide of this market rally is Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

Prior to the month of May and in-fact for the greater part of last year, ETF holders were reeling in pain asking what hit them, but that story seems to be changing or has totally changed.

ETF prices rallied upward of 20 percent in the month of May alone wiping off almost all the prior months’ losses and drags.

Quantitative Financial Analytics has revealed that its May performance analysis indicates that the first 6 best performing funds in the month are all ETFs.

Specifically, Vetiva Banking ETF returned 26.41 percent, New Gold ETF, 20 percent, Vetiva Consumer Goods ETF, 17.05 percent while Stanbic IBTC 30 ETF came back with 16.91 percent return.

Vetiva 30 ETF and Stanbic IBTC Pension 40 ETF returned 14.45 and 13.08 percent respectively with Lotus Halal ETF returning 10.3 percent.

This performance has continued in the month of June with most ETFs recording upwards of 15 percent return so far in June.

Surprisingly, a deeper analysis indicates that the ETFs that are more highly correlated to the all share index did slightly worse than those with lower correlation.

This shows that the effect of the rally is more related to sectors of the economy than to the overall market performance.

While the banking sector ETFs with 0.67 correlation performed best, Stanbic IBTC 30 and Vetiva 30 ETF both with a 0.98 correlation did not do as good as the banking ETF.

Compared to safe-haven assets like bonds and treasuries, ETFs seem to be getting some reward for their additional inherent risks.

According to Quantitative Financial Analytics, equity based ETFs are doing far better than the newly introduced Vetiva S&P Sovereign Bond ETF, which is purely a fixed income based ETF.

However, the yield on 10-year Nigeria Treasuries rose by 8bp to 16.15 percent while 20-year yield contracted by 7bp to 16.01 percent in May.

If the good economic news about Nigeria continues, ETF investors may be celebrating Christmas earlier.

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]

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Economy

Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market

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zichis

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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NERC

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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