Economy
Pressure Mounts on Naira, Sells at N499/$1 at Black Market
By Adedapo Adesanya
The journey of the Nigerian Naira into the N500/$1 region at the unregulated segment of the foreign exchange (forex) market is just a step away.
On Thursday, the Naira was at the borderline as the recent FX liquidity squeeze in the system caused by the devaluation of the currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) further crushed the local currency against the greenback by N1 to sell at N499/$1 at the black market.
At the preceding trading day, the domestic was sold against the United States Dollar at N498/$1 but the pressure mounting on the Naira lately weakened it and there are strong indications that it would hit N500/$ on Friday (today) or next week.
Against the British Pound Sterling, the Naira dropped by N3 at the parallel market as it sold at N703/£1 compared to N700/£1 of the preceding session and lost N4 against the Euro to quote at N602/€1 in contrast to the previous day’s N598/€1.
At the interbank segment of the forex market, the local currency appreciated by 2 kobo against the American currency, trading at N410.20/$1 as against the previous day’s N410.22/$1.
A look at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window of the market showed that the Nigerian currency appreciated by 16 kobo or 0.04 per cent against the US Dollar to close at N410.90/$1 in contrast to N411.06/$1 it ended at the previous session.
The domestic currency recorded the growth despite a rise in the turnover recorded at the specialised FX segment for investors.
The value of transactions yesterday rose by 14.2 per cent or $23.24 million to $140.76 million from the preceding session’s $164.00 million.
At the cryptocurrency market, Business Post observed that the Bitcoin (BTC) improved by 2.5 per cent on Thursday to trade at N19,369,726.21. The Dash (DASH) gained 3.9 per cent to sell at N104,998.00, while Litecoin (LTC) rose by 2.6 per cent to N99,756.01.
However, it was a bad day for the Ethereum (ETH) as its value went down by 1.6 per cent to N1,425,984.00. Tron (TRX) edged downward by 0.9 per cent to N39.94, the United States Dollar Tether (USDT) lost 0.3 per cent to sell for N508.54, while Ripple (XRP) lost 0.1 per cent to sell at N526.95.
Economy
Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market
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.
Economy
NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors
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.
Economy
Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares
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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