Economy
London Stock Exchange Admits Finablr Shares
London Stock Exchange (LSE) has welcomed Finablr Plc, a global payments and foreign exchange company, to open London’s markets for trading and to celebrate the listing of the company’s shares on the Premium Segment of the Main Market of London Stock Exchange.
Finablr is a global platform for Payments and Foreign Exchange solutions underpinned by modern proprietary technology.
With deep regulatory know-how, a relentless focus on innovation and leading industry partnerships, Finablr group companies provide a broad array of tailored and trusted financial solutions for consumers and businesses.
The company is primed for growth as it benefits from structural drivers, such as the globalisation of commerce driven by migration and mobility, cross-border trade, growth of e-commerce and the creation of connected communities.
Through category-renowned brands, including UAE Exchange, Travelex, Xpress Money, Unimoni, Remit2India, Ditto and Swych, Finablr sits at the centre of these intersecting trends, with an ability to serve both the end consumer and global corporates.
Finablr is present across the entire payments and foreign exchange value chain, from origination to processing to last-mile distribution.
An integrated platform is at the heart of the company’s proposition, supporting its omni-channel strategy with best-in-class operating capabilities and connectivity to global payment networks. This allows the company to develop a deep understanding of its customers’ requirements and deliver a range of solutions tailored to their lifestyle and business needs.
In 2018, the company managed over 150 million transactions, shifting the equivalent of $115 billion in volumes for its customers. Finablr has a broad global reach spanning over 170 countries and has relationships with more than 100 regulators.
The truly global reach of the company, sophistication of its technology and the economies of scale of its platform have made Finablr a partner of choice for leading global banks, financial institutions, retailers, mobile wallet providers and payment and technology companies.
Dr B R Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Finablr said: “Today marks a momentous milestone for Finablr and the beginning of an exciting new era to support the ever-evolving needs of a global customer and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our global patrons for their trust and faith in our commitment.”
Dr Shetty, Finablr’s largest shareholder and acknowledged by investors for star-studded track record of all round value creation, had bought UK-based Travelex in 2015 $1.1 billion.
The Finablr, as a group, has a global presence in over 170 countries, managed $114.5 billion in annual volumes for its clients in 2018. The group, comprises of UAE Exchange, Travelex Holdings and Xpress Money, among others, has been seeking to raise $200 from the IPO.
Promoth Manghat, Group Chief Executive Officer of Finablr said: “We are delighted that Finablr has joined the London Stock Exchange’s Premium Market, providing a new platform to grow over the coming years.
“We are very confident about the long-term prospects of the payments and foreign exchange solutions and the overarching presence of technology in such transactions and remain committed to generating the greatest value for our all our shareholders.”
Amidst unstable global macro and micro market situations bringing uncertainty in the broader socio-economic conditions, a rational price revision to 175 pence per share, down from an initially anticipated range above 200 pence, gave Finablr an implied market value of about $1.59 billion, said the bookrunner.
Books were covered at full value of the deal worth 192.5 million shares, thereby making the share offering to raise about £337 million. The deal size shall include a revised base deal size of 175 million shares and 17.5 million of over-allotment option shares.
The group claims to have built on the strength of their technology platform to provide best in class payments experiences to consumers and businesses. The group further claims that they are very well positioned to capture the future opportunities.
Dr. B R Shetty concluded with his words, “We have grown with a principle theme of Customer Service as our Currency and our endeavor would always be to serve the last person in the queue with equal zeal and care.”
Barclays, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan Cazenove acted as Joint Global Co-ordinators and Joint Bookrunners, with EFG-Hermes, BofA Merrill Lynch and Numis also acting as Joint Bookrunners to the listing. Evercore acted as financial adviser to Finablr.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has declared the first interim dividend in its history after posting its financial results for the first half of 2026, reflecting robust earnings growth, improved operating efficiency and stronger capital market activity.
The board approved an interim dividend of N1.00 per ordinary share for the six months ended June 30, 2026, citing the company’s strong cash generation, resilient balance sheet and confidence in the sustainability of its earnings.
The interim payout represents about 56 per cent of the total dividend of N1.78 per share paid for the 2025 financial year, underscoring its strong earnings momentum while preserving financial flexibility to invest in technology, innovation and future growth.
CSCS recorded one of the strongest financial performances in its history during the review period, with total operating income rising by 92 per cent to N18.51 billion from the corresponding period of 2025.
The growth was driven by higher transaction fee income as capital market activity strengthened, continued expansion in depository services, increased collateral management revenues and stronger contributions from data and technology-enabled services. Investment income also improved as the company optimised its investment portfolio.
Despite the sharp rise in revenue, operating expenses increased by only 38 per cent, reflecting disciplined cost management and the scalability of the company’s business model.
As a result, operating profit surged by 186 per cent to N10.11 billion, while profit before tax climbed by 115 per cent to N13.21 billion. Earnings per share also rose significantly to 190.1 kobo from 109.1 kobo in the corresponding period of 2025.
The organisation also recorded improvements in operating efficiency. Its cost-to-income ratio declined to 45.4 per cent from 63.2 per cent a year earlier, while operating profit margin improved to 54.6 per cent from 36.8 per cent.
According to the company, the results demonstrate not only the benefits of stronger market activity but also the resilience of its operating model and its ability to convert revenue growth into higher profitability, improved shareholder returns and sustainable long-term value creation.
Commenting on the interim dividend, the Chairman of CSCS Plc, Mr Temi Popoola, said the board’s decision reflected confidence in the firm’s financial strength, earnings quality and long-term strategic direction.
He said the strong performance was driven not only by increased market activity but also by sustained improvements in operational efficiency, disciplined cost management and the continued diversification of revenue streams.
Mr Popoola noted that the Board remained committed to balancing shareholder returns with investments in technology, innovation, resilience and new growth opportunities that would strengthen CSCS’ position as Nigeria’s leading financial market infrastructure and one of Africa’s foremost post-trade institutions.
The chief executive of CSCS Plc, Mr Shehu Yahaya Shantali, attributed the strong performance to the resilience of the entity’s business model, the dedication of its workforce and the confidence of market participants.
He said the first-ever interim dividend demonstrated the company’s ability to translate strong earnings growth and improved operating efficiency into enhanced shareholder value.
Mr Shantali added that CSCS would continue to strengthen its core market infrastructure, invest in technology and innovation, diversify its revenue base and enhance value creation for stakeholders while supporting the development of Nigeria’s capital market.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The national scale long-term issuer rating of Axxela Limited has been upgraded by GCR Rating to A+(NG), just as its short-term issuer rating was affirmed with a stable outlook.
The rating firm upgraded the long-term issue rating for Axxela Funding 1 Plc’s N16.4 billion series 1 senior unsecured bond to A+(NG), while the N11.5 billion series 1 senior secured bond was lifted to A+(NG)(EL).
GCR noted in a note that the actions reflect the leading gas and power portfolio company’s robust business model, strong earnings performance, and sustained financial profile, reinforcing its ability to deliver long-term value while maintaining financial discipline.
Axxela’s recent achievements have been driven by its continued focus on responsible growth, customer satisfaction, and creating lasting value for national development.
“The ratings upgrade by GCR is a strong endorsement of Axxela’s disciplined approach to business. Beyond recognising our financial strength, it reflects the resilience of our business model and the confidence in our strategic direction.
“Over the past few years, we have continued to make significant strides across the business by expanding our natural gas infrastructure, strengthening our operational footprint, advancing our sustainability agenda, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to operational excellence and safety,” the chief executive of Axxela, Mr Moshood Olajide, commented on the development.
As the company continues to advance its long-term growth strategy, the upgraded ratings reinforce confidence in Axxela’s credit profile, financial resilience, and ability to create enduring value for investors, customers and other stakeholders.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have strengthened their partnership to deploy digital identity technology, aiming to combat illegal mining and enhance security in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Speaking while receiving the Director-General and management of NIMC on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, described the commission as a critical institution in Nigeria’s development architecture, stressing that effective governance could not be achieved without a credible identity management system.
“NIMC occupies a critical position in translating policy into reality. It is pivotal to the development of any nation because governance today is driven by data, technology and credible identity systems,” he added.
He noted that inadequate identification systems had weakened enforcement efforts over the years, allowing illegal mining activities to flourish in mineral-rich communities.
“Without identification, we cannot trace or track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals sector, we need effective monitoring of both legal and illegal operations.
“A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” Mr Alake said.
The minister identified technology, statistics, data gathering and digital identity as critical enablers for evidence-based policymaking, improved regulatory oversight, efficient licensing, investment promotion and national development.
On her part, the DG of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted several opportunities for collaboration between both institutions, noting that the newly enacted NIMC Act has positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.
She explained that deeper integration of identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen security and law enforcement, improve monitoring of operators, and provide stronger support for the implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in mining host communities.
Mrs Coker-Odusote added that NIMC’s upgraded digital infrastructure is capable of supporting government institutions in building reliable databases, improving transparency and delivering more efficient public services.
Both institutions said they would immediately begin implementing technology-driven initiatives under the partnership, expressing confidence that expanding access to trusted digital identities for miners and other eligible residents would enhance accountability and strengthen governance in the solid minerals sector.
