Business
IMF Concludes Staff Mission to Burkina Faso
OUAGADOUGOU – An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Ms. Laure Redifer visited Ouagadougou from March 14-26 to carry out discussions with the Burkinabè authorities on the first review of their economic and financial program supported by the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and a surveillance review required every two years.
The mission met with Mr. Luc-Adolphe Tiao, Prime Minister; Mr. Lucien Bembamba, Minister of Economy and Finance; Mr. Salif Kaboré, Minister of Mines; Ms. Clotilde Ki-Nikiéma, Minister of the Budget; and Mr. Charles Ki-Zerbo, National Director of the Central Bank of West African States, as well as other senior officials, parliamentarians, private sector and civil society representatives, and development partners.
At the end of the mission, Ms. Redifer, issued the following statement in Ouagadougou:
“Burkina Faso has experienced several years of rising and less volatile growth despite numerous shocks, thanks to strong economic and structural reform policies. Despite slight downward revisions, growth remains strong for the period 2013-14. Estimates for 2013 growth were revised to 6.6 percent, based on flat growth in grain production due to erratic rainfall. For 2014, growth is projected at 6.7 percent, and could be higher in case of good rainfall and strong domestic demand. These more cautious projections reflect the outlook for continued subdued international prices for gold and cotton, which are also expected to cause a further deterioration in external balances.
The deterioration would be worse in the absence of stronger exports of cash crops (cotton and sesame) and new minerals (zinc). In December, inflation was 0.5 percent, influenced primarily by lower food prices than a year previously, and should remain below 2.0 percent in 2014.
“Revenue collection was somewhat lower than anticipated in 2013. This, combined with delayed disbursements of external budget support, required additional domestic financing to maintain planned spending, as well as additional spending undertaken in the course of the year, including 1 percent of GDP in additional social spending undertaken in the second half of the year. Revenue shortfalls and additional transfers to public enterprises meant that two end-December 2013 targets of the IMF-supported program were not met, although all other quantitative targets were met and all structural reforms for end-January 2014 were implemented.
“For 2014, large spending increases linked to wage bill negotiations and additional social measures total approximately 2 percent of GDP. To finance these expenditures and maintain the fiscal deficit around 3 percent of GDP, the authorities are identifying spending offsets in other non-priority areas. In addition, they are considering other measures to ensure sustainability of the wage bill and the budget over the medium term, and preserve sufficient resources for valuable investments in people and infrastructure.
“The mission particularly encouraged the authorities to make more transparent budgetary transfers to support the operations of public enterprises facing fixed consumer prices. These untargeted subsidies constitute a growing share of budgetary resources that could be better directed to social spending and investment to create jobs and growth.
“In discussions with the authorities, the mission expressed concern that the new Mining Code had not been passed by Parliament by the end of the year. The mission strongly urged that the new Mining Code be formulated to ensure optimal resource mobilization needed to finance growth-enhancing investment and to ensure that the majority of Burkinabe – in this generation and in those to come — benefits from the extraction of these non-renewable resources.
“The mission had fruitful and collaborative discussions with the authorities on these and other topics. Discussions will continue in the coming weeks to finalize the policy framework for 2014 that would form the basis for completion of the first review of the program supported by the IMF Extended Credit Facility and regular surveillance under the IMF’s Article IV. “
Business
Eterna Posts N5.88bn Profit for H1
Improved operating performances have seen Eterna Plc report higher revenue and profitability for the second quarter and half-year ended June 30, 2026.
The company’s unaudited consolidated financial results showed that revenue rose by 38 per cent to N217.31bn from N157.65bn in the corresponding period of 2025.
The results show that gross profit more than doubled to N15.99bn, while operating profit increased to N8.78bn from N2.34bn. Profit before tax rose by 389 per cent to N7.67bn from N1.57bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit after tax (PAT) increased to N5.88bn from N573.81m, while earnings per share (EPS) improved to N2.69 from N0.44.
The company also reported an improved financial position, with total assets standing at N82.75bn as of June 30, 2026.
Cash and bank balances increased to N20.36bn from N4.79bn as of December 31, 2025, while total liabilities declined to N51.22bn from N84.43bn. Total equity rose to N31.53bn from N7.77bn, reflecting stronger liquidity and capitalisation.
ALSO READ: AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board
On the results, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jude Nwaulune, said, “These results demonstrate the strength of our business and the impact of disciplined execution across our operations. The significant improvement in profitability and financial position provides a solid foundation to advance our growth priorities.
“The successful Rights Issue has further strengthened our balance sheet, resulting in a healthy leverage position, stronger equity and improved net assets. We remain focused on expanding our retail, aviation, lubricants and gas businesses, improving operational efficiency and customer experience, and delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders.”
The company said its full unaudited consolidated financial statements for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, are available on its website.
Business
AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board
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.
Business
NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT
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.





