Nigeria: All you need to know about domestic dollar bond

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully issued a $500 million domestic dollar bond, offering a lucrative 9.75% interest rate to investors.

This first-of-its-kind bond in the Nigerian capital market aims to support infrastructure development, financial inclusion, and deepen the domestic securities market.

The bond has a five-year tenor and offers semi-annual interest payments, with a minimum investment requirement of $10,000. Eligible investors include Nigerians, non-Nigerians resident in Nigeria, Nigerians in the diaspora, and Qualified Institutional Investors.

Key highlights

1. Minimum Investment: The minimum investment is $10,000 with increments of $1,000 thereafter.

2. Interest Rate:The bond offers a 9.75 percent interest rate, paid semi-annually. For a $10,000 investment, investors can expect $487.5 in interest every six months for five years, with the principal returned at the end of the term.

3. Issuance Purpose: The Federal Government’s domestic dollar bond, a $2 billion programme to be raised in four batches of $500 million each.The bond aims to support infrastructure development, financial inclusion, and deepen the domestic securities market. The proceeds will be invested in critical sectors of the economy, subject to presidential approval and National Assembly appropriation.

4. Eligible Investors: Nigerians, non-Nigerians resident in Nigeria, Nigerians in the diaspora, and Qualified Institutional Investors.

5. Issuance Duration: The offer was open from August 19 to August 30.

6. Bond Tenor: The bond has a five-year tenor.

7. Tax Benefits: Interest on the bond is exempt from Company Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, and Capital Gains Tax.

8. Investment Advantages: Local investors enjoy higher returns compared to domiciliary account interest rates. For Nigerians in the diaspora, it offers higher returns than in their countries of residence.

9. Risk: Government securities are considered risk-free due to government backing.

10. Listing: The bond is listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange Limited.

11. Financial Advisers and Issuing Houses: Meristem Capital Limited, Stanbic IBTC, and Vetiva are the issuing houses, with United Capital as the lead. The African Finance Corporation is the global coordinator, with Constant Capital and Iron Capital as financial advisers.

12. Differentiation from Local FGN Bonds and Eurobonds:The domestic dollar bond is issued locally in dollars and has a minimum investable amount of $10,000, while Eurobonds are issued abroad in foreign currencies and have a $200,000 minimum subscription amount .

The domestic bond not only lowers the barrier of entry for several thousands of Nigerians, it also offers better returns to investors in Nigerian Eurobonds.At 9.75 percent, the coupon of the five-year domestic dollar bond exceeds the 9.58 percent yield on the Federal Government’s $1.25 billion 2029 Eurobond which matures in five years’ time.The FGN bonds are local bonds denominated in naira, so its interest and capital is paid in naira.

13. Payment Method:Payment is made of both capital and interest is made in dollars through the Nigerian banking system and electronic transfers.

14. Bank Verification Number: (BVN)Investors, including those in the diaspora, are required to provide their BVN.15. Payment Method:Payment is made of both capital and interest is made in dollars through the Nigerian banking system and electronic transfers.