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AfDB and Japan Sign a US$ 100 Million Loan Agreement

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…for Non-Sovereign Operations under the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) Initiative for Africa

TUNIS – The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan signed on Monday, 16 December, a bilateral Exchange of Notes for a loan of 9.48 billion Japanese yen (about US$ 100 million). This is the fourth loan to the Bank under the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) for Africa Initiative, which supports entrepreneurship, job creation and economic growth in Africa.

The Exchange of Notes was signed by Dr. Donald Kaberuka, AfDB President, and His Excellency Mr. Juichi Takahara, Ambassador of Japan to Tunisia. Immediately following the signature of the Exchange of Notes, the relevant Loan Agreement between the AfDB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was signed by Mr. Charles Boamah, AfDB Vice President for Finance, and Mr. Atsushi Asano, Chief Representative, JICA Tunis Office.

During the signing ceremony the AfDB President said: “This Fourth Private Sector Assistance Loan is the first under the Second Phase of EPSA, is not only in line with Japan’s commitment at the G8 Gleneagles Summit in 2005 but also a concrete realization of the outcome of the TICAD V in Yokohama. I was fortunate to participate in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) and had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Abe to discuss deepening the collaboration between Japan and Africa through trade and investment. This loan will help in accelerating private sector growth, create employment opportunities, support economic and social infrastructure development, and the investment climate. I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Japanese government and panese people for their generous support and the vote of confidence it represents for our continued partnership under the EPSA Initiative.”

His Excellency Mr. Juichi Takahara, Ambassador of Japan to Tunisia, said that: “Sustainable development of Africa is one of our common concerns and it is imperative to develop the African private sector to accelerate economic growth and create jobs. Indeed, the main theme of the TICAD V in June 2013 was promoting the private sector in Africa. I hope that this Fourth Private Sector Assistance Loan will contribute concretely to the development of the African private sector. I also want to reiterate the commitment and willingness of Japan to continue its support and to assist any development effort in Africa. I take this opportunity to renew my gratitude and recognition to the AfDB, through its President, Dr. Kaberuka, for the fruitful cooperation with Japan.”

This fourth Private Sector Assistance Loan will help fund the Bank’s private sector (non-sovereign) operations supporting African SMEs and investments critical to private sector growth and development. This includes public-private partnerships for the provision of essential economic infrastructure and direct investment by the Bank in key African financial institutions and enterprises.

About the Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) Initiative

The Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) Initiative is an innovative, multi-component, multi-donor framework for resource mobilization and development partnership to support implementation of the AfDB’s Strategy for Private Sector Development. Drawing on successful development experience in Asia and around the globe, EPSA was initially conceived in partnership with the Government of Japan (GOJ), which provided generous support to its launch in 2005. Japan fulfilled its original billion-dollar commitment under the EPSA Initiative in 2011. At the Bank’s Annual Meeting in Arusha at the end of May, 2012, the Japanese Government announced its support for a Second Phase of EPSA similar in amount and composition to the original, i.e., another billion dollars over five years. Japan’s Assistance Package for TICAD V (held in Yokohama at the beginning of June, 2013) included US$ 500 million co-financing with AfDB under EPSA.

 

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AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board

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NGX Rallies Corporates On Sustainability Reporting

AVA Capital Plc has been admitted to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) following the listing by introduction of its 5 billion ordinary shares at ₦7.50 per share, with a market capitalisation of ₦37.5 billion.

The listing marks a significant milestone in the Company’s growth journey, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth, strong corporate governance and long-term value creation, while enhancing its visibility within Nigeria’s capital market.

Speaking at the listing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of AVA Capital Plc, Kayode Fadahunsi, described the admission as a defining moment in the Company’s evolution. “Our admission to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange is more than a listing; it is a public affirmation of the business we have built and the future we are committed to creating. We have established a resilient institution with a clear growth strategy, strong governance culture and an unwavering focus on creating sustainable value for our shareholders. Becoming a listed company deepens our accountability, broadens our visibility and positions us to seize new opportunities as we continue our growth journey.”

ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT

Commenting on the listing, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Jude Chiemeka, said the admission reflects the continued confidence of businesses in Nigeria’s capital market as a platform for sustainable growth. “Today’s listing reflects the confidence that forward-looking companies continue to place in the Nigerian capital market. By joining the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange, AVA Capital Plc is embracing the transparency, governance standards and market discipline that define public companies, while positioning itself to access a broader investor base and unlock long-term value. We are delighted to welcome AVA Capital Plc to the NGX family and look forward to supporting its continued growth.”

The admission of AVA Capital Plc expands the range of investment opportunities available to investors while reinforcing NGX’s commitment to connecting businesses with long-term capital and supporting their growth through enhanced visibility, strong governance and deeper investor engagement.

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NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT

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June 2026 results of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) shows a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N535 billion, despite recording a marginal decline in crude oil and condensate production during the month.

The figure represents a 15.8 percent increase over the preceding month, according to the latest Monthly Financial and Operations Report of the state oil major, which indicates that the PAT rose by N73bn from the N462bn recorded in May, while revenue increased to N4.389tn.

According to the report, the company remitted cumulative statutory payments of N6.286tn to the Federation in H1, 2026.

It read, “NNPC Limited recorded N535bn profit after tax for the month of June, representing a 15.8 per cent increase from the N462bn recorded in May. Total revenue for the month stood at N4.389tn, while cumulative statutory payments to the Federation for the period January to June 2026 increased to N6.286tn, underscoring NNPC Limited’s sustained contribution to national revenue generation.”

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Average crude oil and condensate production declined marginally to 1.72 million barrels per day in June from 1.73 million barrels per day in May, representing a 0.58 percent decrease. However, output was 1.18 percent higher than the 1.70 million barrels per day recorded in June 2025.

According to the report, production was affected by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues and subsurface challenges across several assets.

It stated, “June production performance was impacted by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues, and subsurface challenges across several assets. However, performance was partially mitigated by production ramp-up following the completion of the Assa-Rumuekpe and 28-inch TNP Turnaround Maintenance.”

Despite the slight production decline, crude oil and condensate sales surged to 28.23 million barrels in June from 18.95 million barrels in May, representing a 48.97 percent month-on-month increase. The June sales volume was also 6.77 percent higher than the 26.44 million barrels sold in June 2025.

Gas production also improved, rising to 7,841 million standard cubic feet per day from 7,774 million standard cubic feet per day in May, while gas sales recovered to 4,970 million standard cubic feet per day from 4,921 million standard cubic feet per day.

The report highlighted progress on two major gas infrastructure projects. The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Gas Pipeline reached 98 percent completion, with final tie-in works ongoing.

It stated, “The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline progressed to 98% completion, with final tie-in works ongoing towards achieving First Gas in August 2026.”

Construction on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline also advanced to 94 percent completion. According to the company, “Construction and installation activities on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline advanced to 94 per cent completion, supporting the target of early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.”

The NNPC Ltd declared that it would continue implementing measures to sustain production growth despite operational challenges.

It stated, “Focus remains on delivering incremental production across the asset portfolio by improving facility reliability and availability, minimizing Unscheduled Downtime, optimising crude export operations, and accelerating the maturation of production opportunities to sustain Upstream production growth.”

The report also showed that upstream pipeline availability remained at 100 percent during the month, while petrol availability across the NNPC Retail Limited stations stood at 53 percent. It added that all production, sales and financial figures remained provisional and were subject to reconciliation with relevant stakeholders.

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Imported Petrol Now Costs More than Dangote Fuel – Report

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The landed cost of imported Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) has climbed above the gantry price offered by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, reinforcing calls by petroleum marketers for Nigeria to halt fuel importation and prioritise local refining.

The latest Energy Bulletin released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria showed that the spot landed cost of imported petrol stood at N1,223.32 per litre as of July 29.

The price is higher than the Dangote refinery’s gantry price of N1,215 per litre, indicating that imported petrol currently costs marketers more than supplies sourced from the 650,000-barrels-per-day Lekki-based refinery.

The MEMAN bulletin also showed that Brent crude averaged $90 per barrel during the review period.

The development comes days after the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria renewed its call for an end to petrol importation, arguing that local refining capacity is sufficient to meet the country’s fuel demand.

IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, recently told The PUNCH that there was no justification for continued petrol imports when local refineries, particularly the Dangote refinery, were producing enough to supply the domestic market.

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He argued that importing petrol when locally refined products were available only exerted additional pressure on foreign exchange and undermined investments in domestic refining.

The latest pricing data appears to support the marketers’ position, with the landed cost of imported petrol now exceeding the Dangote refinery’s gantry price.

According to the MEMAN bulletin, Dangote’s coastal price for PMS stood at N1,195 per litre, while its gantry price was N1,215 per litre, inclusive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority charges.

The report also showed that the naira averaged N1,367.03/$ during the review period, while international crude oil prices remained elevated, contributing to higher import costs.

The rise in global crude prices also pushed up the cost of refined petroleum products internationally. The price of diesel traded on the Intercontinental Exchange in Europe averaged $1,246.54 per metric tonne during the review period.

The bulletin further revealed that the spot landed cost of diesel rose to N1,739.96 per litre, compared with a 30-day average of N1,427.00 per litre, while aviation fuel climbed to N1,616.43 per litre against a 30-day average of N1,421.10 per litre.

The pricing trend suggests that locally refined petrol currently offers marketers a cheaper alternative than imports.

Earlier, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria urged the Federal Government to halt the importation of petrol, arguing that imported petrol has become more expensive than locally refined products and is frustrating efforts to stabilise prices in the downstream sector.

The association said the continued issuance of fuel import licences was worsening price volatility, putting additional pressure on the naira and undermining the competitiveness of domestic refineries, particularly the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the recent import licences issued by the NMDPRA had failed to achieve their intended objective of moderating domestic fuel prices.

According to him, petrol imported under the new licences is being sold at rates significantly higher than the price of products supplied by the Dangote refinery.

Meanwhile, data from Petroleumprice.ng also showed that some depot owners continued to adjust their ex-depot petrol prices on Thursday amid changing market conditions. AIPEC sold at N1,216 per litre.

Ardova reduced its ex-depot price by N1 to N1,217 per litre, while Ascon and T-Time each cut their prices by N2 to N1,216 per litre. Emadeb, however, increased its price by N1 to N1,218 per litre, while NIPCO retained its price at N1,217 per litre.

Outside Lagos, Aradel raised its ex-depot price by N5 to N1,240 per litre in Port Harcourt. Matrix and Sigmund reduced their prices by N10 each to N1,225 and N1,224 per litre, respectively, while T.S.L. cut its price by N15 to N1,225 per litre.

In Calabar, Hong Petroleum, Mainland and Sobaz each reduced their depot prices by N5 to N1,220 per litre. In Warri, A.Y.M. Shafa increased its price by N3 to N1,233 per litre, while Optima raised its price by N2 to N1,232 per litre. Matrix reduced its price by N3 to N1,230 per litre, while Rainoil cut its price by N2 to N1,240 per litre.

The PUNCH reports that the pump prices of petrol currently hover around N1,250 to N1,300 per litre in Lagos and Ogun states, while they are higher in the North and other distant locations.

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