Economy
Nigerian Telecoms Sector Viable for More Operators, Investments
The consumption levels of data for Internet connectivity and financial transactions are increasingly mounting pressure on telecoms infrastructure in Nigeria.
The growing smartphone adoption coupled with increasing demand for high-speed Internet is a challenge for operators to reimagine their operations as it holds business prospects for existing and new investors.
Absa, a leading pan-African Corporate and Investment Bank notes that the low Internet penetration rates in Nigeria in the midst of rising demand for data present a huge opportunity for increased investment in Nigeria’s telecoms industry.
The number of active Internet subscriptions has exceeded 143 million as of February this year, as broadband penetration stands at 40.9 per cent for a population of about 216 million people.
Sadiq Abu, CEO of Absa Nigeria, said, “The outlook for growth in Nigeria’s telecoms industry is strong. The gaps in last-mile telecoms infrastructure are largely untapped. The current momentum of emerging technologies and financial services delivers boundless growth horizons for telcos to upgrade their infrastructure and expand their reach.
“The telecommunications industry is generating interest from local and foreign investors. The telcos are already strategically developing useful business vehicles to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the industry.”
The relevance of telecoms industry to the economy became prominent during the pandemic as the connectivity operators offer turned out to be a key tool for business continuity, driving human interaction and keeping people up-to-date on vital health and safety information.
People relied on bandwidth-heavy activities for entertainment and learning. Activities around remote learning and gaming grew intensely. More people used videoconferencing for meetings as well as national, regional and global conferences.
In as much as the industry was a major driver of economic growth during that challenging period, the ineptitude of the available infrastructure became glaring as it exposed the huge digital divide and many regions that have no connectivity.
Africa has the lowest number of Internet connections with only 22 per cent of the continent having access, indicating that the continent has the largest potential for growth, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Hasnen Varawalla, the Co-head of Investment Banking Origination for Absa, said the listing of two prominent telecommunications companies in Nigeria on the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX) has boosted the sector and the capital market and they both contribute 54 per cent to the capital base of the market.
He explained that the sector powers other critical sectors of the economy, drives fintech businesses, supports government revenue collection drive, security, e-commerce services and smart city plans.
According to him, “Absa is a significant capital provider to the entire telecoms sector in Africa. Our role is not limited to providing capital though; we are amongst the most active advisers to telco/telco infrastructure companies having led and/or participated in many landmark transactions across the continent, including the £595 million Airtel IPO on the NGX, the sale of 9mobile to Teleology, Vodacom IPO on the Tanzania Stock Exchange, the $378 IHS IPO on the NYSE, the acquisition by IHS of MTN’s tower portfolio in South Africa, amongst others.
“We continue to make available our deep telecoms sector expertise to help telcos take advantage of emerging opportunities that will fast track the timely achievement of their growth aspiration,” Varawalla said.
With the Nigeria Communication Commission’s ongoing implementation of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, which aims to increase broadband penetration to 70 per cent by 2025, now is the time for investors to align with this plan, take informed risks on innovation, network expansion and infrastructure upgrades.
Internet traffic has been on the rise, with more than 70 per cent coming from mobile devices, making the switch from 3G to 4G and 5G inevitable. Also, many technologies that will ride on the infrastructure going forward are limitless.
Embracing new business models and expanding into new industries, such as fintech, TV and the stock market will accelerate operators’ growth aspirations. Many mobile network operators in Africa have already recorded tremendous reach with mobile financial services on the continent due to their large customer base, existing distribution network and mobile phone penetration. The telecommunications services industry hold potential for fibre, telecommunications towers, active networks, mobile and fixed broadband, data centres and e-commerce investor, among others.
Indeed, Absa’s invaluable role in providing capital for telecoms expansion in Africa and offering advisory services has led to many innovations and landmark transactions across the continent.
Absa offers investment banking and market products through various Nigerian registered subsidiaries, namely Absa Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Absa Capital Markets Nigeria Limited, and Absa Securities Nigeria Limited.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
All may now be set for the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
The exercise was earlier scheduled for today, Tuesday, December 17, 2024, but it was shifted to tomorrow after the 2025 budget proposal of N48 trillion was approved Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The council met on Monday on the 2025 Appropriation Bill and made a few amendments, according to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Atiku Bagudu, who addressed journalists after the meeting yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Today, the Federal Executive Council approved the budget proposals for 2025 with amendments, which Mr President directed, following a presentation to the Federal Executive Council by the Director of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.
“The 2025 budget proposal articulates the federal government’s financial plan for the 2025 fiscal year and aligns with the renewed hope agenda and the National Development Plan, 2021–2025, as earlier approved in the medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper,” the Minister informed newsmen
Mr Bagudu disclosed that the framework is based on a benchmark oil price of $75 per barrel, an exchange rate of N1,400/$1 and crude oil production of 2.06 billion barrels per day.
He disclosed that based on these parameters, the total projected revenue for the year is N34.820 trillion out of which the expenditure is projected at N47,960 trillion, higher than the 2024 figures by 36.8 per cent, with the deficit projected at N13.13 trillion, to be financed by borrowing.
Also addressing members of the press after the meeting was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, who announced that the N13 trillion deficit would be financed through borrowing.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange slumped by 0.57 per cent on Monday, December 16, trimming the benchmark index, the Unlisted Security Index (NSI), by 117.21 points to 3,014.95 points from the 3,092.16 points it ended last Friday.
However, the market capitalisation of the alternative bourse went down by 2.74 per cent or N29.16 billion during the session to N1.033 trillion from the N1.062 trillion it closed in the previous trading day.
Business Post reports that FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc lost N2.75 yesterday to settle at N40.10 per share compared with the preceding session’s N42.85 per share and Afriland Properties Plc weakened by 10 Kobo to wrap the trading day at N16.20 per unit, in contrast to last Friday’s N16.30 per unit.
A look at the activity chart showed that the volume of securities bought and sold by investors on the first trading session of the week went down by 92.6 per cent to 90,629 units from the 1.2 million units transacted at the last session.
Also, the value of shares traded by the market participants on Monday declined by 6.7 per cent to N2.3 million from the N2.4 million quoted in the previous session, as the number of deals carried out closed flat at 18 deals.
At the close of business, Geo-Fluids Plc retained its position as the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 1.7 billion units sold for N3.9 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.6 million units worth N5.3 million.
Aradel Holdings Plc also remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 108.7 million units worth N89.2 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.6 million units sold for N5.3 billion.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira depreciated against the US Dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Monday after the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that the inflation rate increased in November 2024 to a multi-year high of 34.60 per cent.
The local currency lost N12.10 or 0.79 per cent against the greenback yesterday to trade at N1,545.10/$1 compared with last Friday’s closing rate of N1,533.00/$1, according to data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange.
The NBS on Monday indicated that inflation rose by 0.72 per cent on a month-on-month basis to a year-high of 34.60 per cent in November 2024. In the preceding month, the rate was 33.88 per cent.
Analysts at Coronation Plc noted, “The month-on-month core inflation measure eased to 1.38 per cent from 2.14 per cent in October, following the NNPC downwards review of petrol price in November.”
However, it warned that “Persistent inflationary pressures continue to pose significant challenges to businesses and households. Elevated production costs have translated into higher operating expenses for businesses, many of which have been passed on to consumers through increased prices. This dynamic erodes household purchasing power and suppresses consumer demand.”
But it was observed that at the official market, the domestic currency appreciated against the Pound Sterling yesterday by N1.31 to trade at N1,940.88/£1 compared with the previous trading day’s N1,942.19/£1 and against the Euro, it improved by N3.98 to sell for N1,608.87/€1 versus N1,612.85/€1.
At the black market, the Naira, however, declined against the Dollar yesterday by N10 to settle at N1,660/$1, in contrast to the previous trading session’s price of N1,650/$1.
Meanwhile, the digital currency market was largely mixed as investors awaited interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve this week while a stronger Dollar affected riskier assets.
Ripple (XRP) gained 4.5 per cent to sell at $2.52 as it announced the RLUSD stablecoin set to officially launch on Tuesday and the bullish sentiments surrounding the launch could further boost the price of the coin.
Further, Bitcoin (BTC) increased its value by 1.5 per cent to finish at $106,876.37, Ethereum (ETH) jumped by 1.2 per cent to $4,019.57, and Binance Coin (BNB) rose by 0.4 per cent to $718.02.
On the flip side, Solana (SOL) slumped by 3.4 per cent to $215.97, Litecoin (LTC) slid by 3.1 per cent to $117.16, Cardano (ADA) lost 2.2 per cent to quote at $1.06, and Dogecoin (DOGE) fell by 1.3 per cent to $0.4001, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) traded flat at $1.00 each.
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