Economy
IMF Begins Talks with Gabon on Possible Financial Plan
By Dipo Olowookere
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has disclosed that Gabon has suffered a significant decline in income after the sharp drop in oil prices starting in 2014.
But despite this, the global financial institution is holding discussions with the country’s authorities on a possible financial arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
From February 14-28, 2017, an IMF team headed by Mr Alex Segura-Ubiergo visited Libreville towards this and posited that short-term economic prospects remain challenging due to the negative performance of the oil sector (a traditional source of growth in the economy) and the sharp decline in oil revenues, which has triggered a need to adjust government spending and has reduced the capacity of the government to support economic activity, especially through public investment.
The team said as in other CEMAC countries, decisive action to address short-term challenges is needed.
“At the same time, Gabon’s medium-term economic prospects remain strong thanks to recent efforts to diversify the economy and attract investment in new strategic sectors, especially mining, forestry, and agri-business.
“The team encouraged the authorities to continue to pursue this strategy, which would help the economy become more resilient to shocks and less dependent on its oil sector,” the IMF team added.
Mr Segura-Ubiergo said further that, “The team made substantial progress in gathering economic data and taking stock of the authorities’ reform proposals, including the recent initiatives to launch an economic recovery plan.
“The government’s intentions to reduce non-priority spending, increase allocations for priority social programs, address inefficiencies in public spending, and mobilize non-oil revenues seem adequate, but specific policy measures and targets still need to be designed and spelled out with more precision.
“It will be particularly important to strike the right balance between the need to adjust and the importance of protecting vulnerable groups of the population.
“Upon return to Washington, the team will continue to engage with the authorities, with a view to reaching a common understanding toward a set of policies that could form the basis of an EFF-supported arrangement.
“While the specific details of this program are still under discussion, the government and the team agreed that it was important to act expeditiously.
“Gabon’s active role in its discussions with the IMF and within the CEMAC region are contributing positively to the search for a coordinated solution to the current economic challenges.
“The team met with Prime Minister Issoze-Ngondet, Minister of Economy Immongault Tatagani, several sectoral government ministers, the national director of BEAC, and other senior government officials, representatives of the private sector, civil society, and the diplomatic community.
“The team would like to thank the Gabonese authorities for the constructive discussions and their hospitality.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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