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Ekekwe On Real Threats To Nigeria’s Economy

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An analyst, Ndubuisi Ekekwe has declared that the real threats to Nigeria’s economy are her West African neighbours.

Ekekwe took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site X to share a mind blowing steady decline of the Nigerian economy vis-a-vis her neighbours including Benin Republic, Togo, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

He stated that the economic policies and operating environment in West and North Africa havecombined to attract global investors as well as synergies tto detriment of Nigeria.

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He expressed concern that Nigeria’s population has made her a ready market for manufacturers operating in West African countries.

He noted that while the local currency, the Naira has been steadily declining against the dollar, ” the CFA Franc (currency they use in Cotonou’s Benin Republic and most Francophone countries) has gained 10x against the Naira in the last nine years. In 2015, 1 CFA franc in Cotonou would have given you N0.25 (or 25 kobo); today, you will get N2.50.”

In his view Nigeria’s West African neighbours have long “solved “, and been reaping therefrom.

He wrote “From 1973 to 2015, US$1 exchanged at worst for N200. But between 2015 and 2024, it got up to N1,600/$. The implications are huge for any business in Nigeria.

“Of course, the citizens, especially the savers, have lost enormous purchasing power. Pension and retirement accounts have lost massive “purchasing” value. If you retired as a school headmaster in 2012, and were to be paid N4 million, if they did not pay it by 2015, and you are getting it now, you have effectively lost more than 60% of that money.

“As that happens, the Nigerian manufacturer loses grounds even as competition heats up across the borders. The largest textile factory in West Africa is being established in Benin Republic (i.e. Cotonou); that country has about 14m people. By the time they are done, the small remaining textile factories in Nigeria will close because there is no way to compete.

“Today, the BUSIEST port in West Africa is Togo’s Port of Lome. They laugh at Nigeria because Togo now runs a bigger port than Nigeria since Nigerian importers use Lome port due to its top-grade facilities (get things cleared fast). So, they charge Nigerian importers international duties while Nigeria charges those people largely free ECOWAS duties. Togo has less than 9m people.

“So, besides looking at China, the United States, etc, even our neighbours have solved Nigeria. Yes, the trio of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have taken their businesses to Morocco and Algeria; you can import things via Western Sahara/ Mauritania, and Algeria, into those three countries. Like that, they have stopped trading with Nigeria and the implications are huge!

“Get this: the CFA Franc (currency they use in Cotonou’s Benin Republic and most Francophone countries) has gained 10x against the Naira in the last nine years. In 2015, 1 CFA franc in Cotonou would have given you N0.25 (or 25 kobo); today, you will get N2.50. If you run the numbers, that is a 10X appreciation over the Naira in less than ten years!

“So, instead of being fixated with China and the US, Nigeria may need to focus on how to compete regionally as our neighbours are outsmarting us.”

Business

Again, Aradel Shifts Results Release Forward

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After failing to meet its previously announced May 29, 2026 target, Aradel Holdings Plc has extended the filing and publication deadline for its 2025 audited financial statements and first-quarter 2026 unaudited financial statements.

This was detailed in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), shareholders and the investing public, which had it that both reports will now be released on or before June 19, 2026.

The company blamed challenges arising from the consolidation of its recently acquired additional 40 per cent equity interest in ND Western Limited.

Aradel had earlier informed the market on March 2, 2026, that the delay in filing its financial statements was linked to the acquisition and had subsequently indicated that the reports would be released on or before May 29, 2026.

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Explaining the latest postponement, the company said unforeseen complexities emerged during the consolidation process following the integration of the newly acquired stake into the Group’s reporting framework.

According to the notice, “The delay is due to unforeseen complexities encountered in the consolidation process arising from the integration of the newly acquired interest in ND Western Limited into the Group’s reporting framework. Additional time is required to ensure that the consolidated results fairly present the financial position of the enlarged Group in line with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.”

“The Company is working closely with its external auditors to complete the process without compromising the quality, accuracy or integrity of the financial statements. Both the FY 2025 Audited Financial Statements and the Q1 2026 Unaudited Interim Financial Statements will now be released on or before 19 June 2026,” Aradel said.

The extension means the company’s closed period, which commenced on January 1, 2026, will remain in effect until 24 hours after the financial statements are released to the market. During the closed period, insiders and other restricted persons are prohibited from trading in the company’s shares.

The company noted that trading in its securities by affected persons would resume after the expiration of the extended closed period. Aradel further reiterated its commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency in its financial reporting.

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Savannah Energy Posts Strong Four-Month Performance

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Ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) billed for June 1, 2026, Savannah Energy, has provided a trading update on its Nigerian operations and other markets in Africa for the four months to April 30, 2026, reflecting continued operational progress and a strong focus on cash discipline.

It reports that following the completion of the SIPEC Acquisition in March 2025, the production expansion programme underway at its Stubb Creek has delivered an 8% increase in average gross daily production to 3.1 Kbopd for the period, compared to 2.8 Kbopd during the same period in 2025.

Its group average gross daily production for the four-month period stood at 15.7 Kboepd (FY 2025: 18.8 Kboepd) with gas production volumes constrained as a result of the ongoing drilling and operational activity, and customer gas demand.

The update shows that its Revenues increased by 17% year-on-year to US$104.1 million, compared to US$89.1 million in the same period last year. It also shows that its trade receivables balance declined by 22% to US$395.2 million from US$507.2 million at year-end 2025.

It also reported cash balances of US$64.7 million during the four-month period, compared to the 31 December 2025 figure of US$42.8 million, with its net debt standing at US$641.7 million compared to the 31 December 2025 figure of US$658.6 million.

According to the update, Savannah’s cash collections for the four months ended April 30 amounted to US$183.5 million, a 48% increase from the US$89.1 million it received during the same period in 2025.

Savannah also reported that it has entered into a new £32 million unsecured loan facility with NIPCO plc, its largest shareholder. The facility is structured in two tranches: £20 million available immediately and £12 million available from July 1. The loan carries a 4.5% annual interest rate and has a 36-month term.

The facility includes a conversion option that allows Savannah to repay the loan through the issuance of new shares at 8 pence per share. NIPCO cannot require conversion, and Savannah is under no obligation to issue shares. The transaction constitutes a related party transaction under AIM rules.

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The report highlighted the operational progress being made across key African assets, including Uquo and Stubb Creek, as well as continued advancement of its wind, solar and hydropower projects. It reports that drilling and completion activities at the Uquo NE well location have now been concluded, with rig-down operations currently underway ahead of mobilisation to the next well.

It also reports that the flowline installation is in its final stages, with tie-in activities ongoing at the Uquo CPF, while tie-in works at the well pad are expected to commence shortly, with first gas targeted for early July 2026, supporting the higher forecast gas production expected in H2 2026. Site construction activities at the Uquo South exploration well location, it said, are progressing well, with the site expected to be ready by early June 2026, just as conductor piling operations are also ongoing in preparation for the rig move from the Uquo NE location.

In Niger, Savannah reports that its Parc Eolien de la Tarka project has made significant progress to date, with the Minister of Energy confirming that the project is on the Government’s list of priority projects. It expects the timing and sequencing of further development activities in relation to the project to be linked to the timing and outcome of the Company’s ongoing discussions with the Government of Niger regarding the R1234 PSC and the potential recommencement of oil activities.

In Cameroon, negotiations with the Government are at an advanced stage regarding a Joint Development Agreement for the up to 95 MW Bini, a Warak hybrid hydroelectric and solar project. This is expected to replace the Memorandum of Agreement signed in April 2023 and secure the terms under which Savannah will collaborate with the Government of Cameroon to further develop the project.

Andrew Knott, CEO of Savannah Energy, said: “Savannah continues to deliver against the nine core focus areas we set out for the business at the start of 2025. In Nigeria, we have seen a significant improvement in cash collections, with a 48% year-on-year increase in the first four months of the year, alongside a 17% year-on-year increase in Revenues and a 22% reduction in our trade receivables balance since year-end 2025. This reflects our ongoing focus on disciplined cash collections and receivables management, which remains a key priority for the business this year.

“Operationally, we are advancing a number of important projects, including the drilling of two new gas wells at the Uquo field, and the production expansion programme at Stubb Creek which has already delivered an 8% increase in average daily production (compared to the first four months of 2025). In our power division, we continue to progress our greenfield wind, solar and hydro portfolio.

“Alongside this, we continue to pursue further value-accretive acquisitions across both hydrocarbons and power, with several opportunities under active discussion. We are also pleased to have secured a new £32 million loan facility from NIPCO plc (“NIPCO”), our largest shareholder, strengthening our financial flexibility and further underpinning our confidence in delivering continued operational, financial and strategic progress through 2026 and 2027.”

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Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol, Diesel Prices Again

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In a move reinforcing its commitment to making refined petroleum products more affordable and supporting economic activities across Nigeria, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has announced a fresh reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Under the latest price adjustment, the refinery reduced the ex-depot price of PMS, commonly known as petrol, to N1,250 per litre from N1,275 per litre, while the price of AGO (diesel) was cut to N1,700 per litre from N1,800 per litre.

The price review comes amid the refinery’s continued efforts to improve supply efficiency, deepen domestic refining, and provide cost relief to consumers and businesses that depend heavily on petroleum products for transportation, power generation and industrial operations.

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Since commencing operations, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery has increasingly supplied the domestic market with refined products aimed at eliminating the country’s dependence on imported fuels.

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