Economy

Nigeria Records 28 Deals Worth $1bn in H1 2021

Published

5 years ago

23/07/2021

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A new report from Baker McKenzie has indicated that in the first half of 2021, Nigeria and South Africa recorded a surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

However, Kenya, another key economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, witnessed a slight decline in the period under consideration, according to an analysis of Refinitiv data.

It was revealed that 28 deals worth $1 billion were recorded in Nigeria in H1 2021, indicating that by transaction volume, it rose by 17 per cent and by value, it soared by 267 per cent.

Refinitiv data reveals that domestic transactions decreased by 15 per cent to 11 deals, but deal value increased by 342 per cent year-on-year to $726 million.

Also, cross-border transactions increased by 13 per cent to 17 deals, with deal value rising by 8 per cent to $296 million, with financial companies being the prime targets for inbound deals at four transactions, showing a 100 per cent increase y-o-y and deal value of $10 million, a 327 per cent increase year on year.

Once again, the US served as the primary investor for Nigerian companies, with four deals worth $13 million. The largest inbound deal into Nigeria in H1 2021 was Mwendo Holdings BV’s (South Africa) $182 million acquisition of Blue Lake Ventures Ltd (Media and Entertainment), announced in June 2021.

In a statement obtained by Business Post, the Head of Africa for Baker McKenzie, Mr Wildu du Plessis, stated that while investors from the US have shown interest in Africa for some time, under President Joe Biden, the general consensus is that US engagement with African countries is focusing on strengthening relationships in a strategic, co-operative way.

It has been noted that Mr Biden will continue with successful bipartisan programmes implemented by his predecessors, as well as further encouraging US trade and investment in the continent.

Considering that American companies were the top investors in two of Africa’s largest economies in the first half of 2021, dealmakers are clearly comfortable with Biden’s approach to Africa.

South Africa

The value of M&A transactions in South Africa in H1 2021 amounted to $52 billion, with 169 deals announced in the period. Compared to the first half of 2020, transactions volumes decreased by 8 per cent but deal value increased by 958 per cent in the first half of 2021.

Refinitiv data showed that the volume of domestic transactions increased slightly to 80 deals, a 10 per cent increase y-o-y. Domestic transactions in South Africa in H1 21 were worth $46.7 billion, a dramatic 2,148 per cent increase. Further, cross-border transactions increased 17 per cent to 89 deals, with deal value surging 251 per cent to $5.4 billion.

According to Marc Yudaken, Partner in the Corporate/M&A Practice at Baker McKenzie in Johannesburg, “Despite the excellent start to 2021, the unrest in South Africa threatens to impact the positive strides made in terms of foreign investment into the country in the first six months of this year.

“For the sake of South Africa’s post-pandemic recovery, the turmoil engulfing our country has to be ended before investors are forced to seek less risky alternatives.

“Foreign investors will only ramp up their investments if they are confident their assets are safe. They need political and economic certainty and must have confidence that there is rule of law in the countries in which they invest.”

High technology companies were the primary targets for inbound deals in South Africa, with 12 transactions, representing 200 per cent in deal volume and a deal value of $160 million, an increase of 1,997 per cent when compared to the same period last year.

“It’s no secret that African consumers have shown a growing reliance on technology across multiple platforms, even well before the pandemic struck.

“The growth of the digital economy across the continent has naturally been accelerated by the pandemic and this unabated demand for technology has caused extensive cross-sector disruption, with the financial, energy, transport, retail, health and agricultural sectors all seeking opportunities to expand their tech infrastructure in order to acquire the necessary skills and innovation needed to keep up with demand.

“Fintech is also a popular tech sector for investment across Africa and specifically in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, with health-tech, mobility and agritech also attracting growing interest,” Mr du Plessis noted.

“It looks like South Africa is leading the way in terms of high-value deals in the tech sector and we expect this tech M&A trend to continue as the continent gears up to operate in the post-pandemic new normal,” he added.

The United States was the primary investor for South African companies, with 16 deals (an increase of 60 per cent) valued at $496 million (an increase of 340 per cent).

This was helped by TPG Capital LP’s $200 million acquisition of Airtel Africa Plc-Mobile (telecommunications) announced in March 2021. The largest inbound deal in H1 2021 was Temasek Holdings (Pte) Ltd’s (Singapore) $500 million acquisition of Leapfrog Investments (financials), also announced in March 2021.

Kenya

In H1 2021, deal-making in Kenya decreased by 14 per cent with 18 deals in the period and deal value decreased by 96 per cent to $11 million.

Financial companies were the prime targets for inbound deals with five transactions, representing a 150 per cent increase, with deals valued at $11 million, a 78 per cent decrease.

Nigeria served as the primary investor for Kenyan companies with three deals. The largest inbound deal into Kenya in H1 2021 was Liberty Holdings Ltd’s (South Africa) $8 million acquisition of Liberty Kenya Holdings Plc (insurance), announced in March 2021.

In its reaction to this, Mr Du Plessis said the decrease in M&A volume and value in Kenya in H1 2021 is expected to be temporary as the country continues to implement pandemic recovery policies, including a vaccine rollout strategy for the adult population with a planned completion date of mid-2022.

“The country’s reputation as an East African investment hub, in addition to its strong technology capabilities, means that it is just a matter of time before Kenya takes up its rightful place as one of the top target countries for technology transactions in Africa,” he submitted.

Economy

NGX RegCo Fines Meristem, CSL, Three Other Stockbrokers N291m for Infractions

Published

3 hours ago

31/03/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

FBN Holdings Changes Registrars Meristem

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Five stockbroking firms operating in the Nigerian capital market have been sanctioned for engaging in market infractions.

The affected companies, Meristem Stockbrokers Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, Cowry Securities Limited, Associated Asset Managers Limited, and SMADAC Securities Limited, were fined a total of N291 million.

The Nigerian Exchange Regulation (NGX RegCo) Limited, which imposed the penalties on the stockbrokers, accused them of being involved in wash trades and self-matching transactions.

It was gathered that the culprits were investigated by the exchange’s panel, which uncovered repeated instances of improper trading practices such as artificial price formation and misleading market activity.

They have all been directed to undergo mandatory compliance and market conduct training.

Business Post learned from a notice to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that CSL Stockbrokers Limited was fined over N91 million, while the other four firms were each fined N50 million in line with provisions of the Investment and Securities Act 2025.

NGX RegCo noted that the penalties reflect the gravity of the breaches and were aimed at strengthening market discipline, deterring misconduct and preserving the integrity of the Nigerian capital market.

It further stated that the action reinforces its drive to ensure a fair, orderly and transparent trading environment, while bolstering investor confidence through stricter enforcement of market rules.

In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association (MemArt) of the Exchange, the board of NGX Regco held a meeting on March 27, 2026, wherein it confirmed the decision of the RNBC to sanction the five trading license holder firms. These sanctions are commensurate to infractions and to serve as a deterrence to these violations,” a part of the notice read.

The action of RegCo came a few weeks after the price movement of a company on the NGX platform, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, was probed after gaining almost 900 per cent in one month.

Trading in the shares of the company was suspended for about a month and was only lifted on March 23, 2026, with its share price adjusted downward to N8.58 from N17.36.

Economy

NGX, Secondary School Students Engage in Smart Money Talks

Published

4 hours ago

31/03/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Over 200 secondary school students from Covenant Child Academy, Testimony College, and Green Pastures High School were recently introduced to the fundamentals of financial literacy, capital markets, and responsible investing, offering early exposure to wealth-building principles by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.

It was part of Customs Street’s week-long programme to commemorate Global Money Week 2026, themed Smart Money Talks.

The bourse joined the global community to celebrate the week as part of its commitment to advancing financial literacy and equipping the next generation of investors.

The students, who underwent the seminar under the NGX’s flagship X-Tour initiative, were guided by representatives from NGX and NGX Regulation on key considerations before investing, as well as common warning signs to watch for when evaluating investment opportunities.

The session reinforced the importance of cultivating positive money habits to support sound financial decisions in the future.

Extending its impact beyond in-person engagement, the exchange also convened an interactive Instagram Live session in collaboration with United Capital Plc.

Featuring Stanley Onuorah, widely known as Online Banker, the session focused on Building a Portfolio in Today’s Markets. It addressed pressing questions from young Nigerians on navigating the capital market, understanding available investment products, and making informed financial choices.

During the session, a representative from NGX’s Trading and Products division shared practical insights into the range of instruments available in the market, including equities, fixed income securities, and exchange-traded funds, while outlining clear pathways for getting started and building resilient portfolios across varying market conditions.

In parallel, a representative from Market Regulation emphasised the importance of investor protection frameworks, educating participants on their rights, the safeguards that ensure fair market practices, and the necessity of due diligence in sustaining trust and integrity within the market.

The session has since attracted thousands of views, significantly amplifying awareness around financial literacy and encouraging greater youth participation in the capital market.

Through these initiatives, NGX continues to play a pivotal role in shaping financially responsible citizens, in line with its broader mandate to drive inclusive growth and strengthen investor confidence within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

Economy

OTC Securities Exchange Dips 2.14% as NSI Closes at 4,109 Points

Published

4 hours ago

31/03/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange declined by 2.14 per cent on Monday, March 30, weakening the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 89.95 points to 4,109.74 points from 4,199.69 points.

During the session, investors lost N53.82 billion, leaving the market capitalisation of the trading platform at N2.458 trillion versus the previous session’s N2.512 trillion.

The bourse recorded four price gainers and four price losers led by 11 Plc, which shed N35.12 to close at N316.50 per share compared with last Friday’s value of N351.17 per share. MRS Oil Plc declined by N20.00 to quote at N190.00 per unit versus the previous price of N21o.00 per unit, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc dropped N11.00 to trade at N99.00 per share versus N110.00 per share, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc dipped N2.93 to N77.17 per unit from N80.10 per unit.

Conversely, IPWA Plc appreciated by 55 Kobo to N6.06 per share from N5.51 per share, Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc expanded by 5 Kobo to 57 Kobo per unit from 52 Kobo per unit, Geo-Fluids Plc gained 4 Kobo to close at N3.22 per share versus N3.18 per share, and Acorn Petroleum Plc improved by 1 Kobo to N1.34 per unit from N1.33 per unit.

Trading data revealed a decline of 63.7 per cent in the volume of securities to 21.3 million units from 58.6 million units, a 59.6 per cent drop in the value of securities to N651.1 million from N1.6 billion, and a 24 per cent contraction in the number of deals to 38 deals from 50 deals.

The most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis was CSCS Plc with 56.3 million units exchanged for N3.8 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 27.5 million units traded for N1.8 billion, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units valued at N1.2 billion.

Resourcery Plc was the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 1.1 billion units worth N415.7 million, followed by Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units sold for N1.2 billion, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 133.1 million units transacted for N511.2 million.