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Airtel Africa sells Towers in Malawi, Madagascar, Tanzania, recalls bonds over debts

Published

3 years ago

May 22, 2022

Airtel Africa Plc has been forced to sell off its telecommunication Towers in Malawi, Madagascar and Tanzania for a total of $284 million.

The company also recalled $505 million of its bonds as part of measures to pay off close to $3 billion debt on its balance sheet weighing down its continental operations.

By recalling a bond, a firm had to pay off the principal amount and the interest of a debt instrument before the due or maturity date and this occurs where the issuer, or the borrower, intends to clear the debt from its books and save on the regular interest payments.

The telecommunications company, a subsidiary of India’s Bharti Airtel Ltd, with operations in 14 African countries which has been going through a turbulent business terrain in recent times, redeemed the bonds that were to mature in March 2023, thereby saving $26 million on interest payments from the early redemption.

“In line with our strategy to continue to reduce foreign currency debt at Holding Company, we also repaid $505 million bonds in March 2022, a year earlier than their March 2023 redemption date,” the company said in a statement on Friday as part of its financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022.

“Our balance sheet has also been further de-risked by continued localisation of our debt into the operating companies (OpCos) and material debt reduction in Holding Company (HoldCo),” the statement added.

As part of its revenue generating drive, The Airtel Group completed the sale of more than 2,600 telecommunication towers in Tanzania, Madagascar and Malawi generating total proceeds of $284 million which were used to partly reduce its debt to $2.9 billion from $3.5 billion.

The Tower sale proceeds, according to the company were Tanzania ($177 million), Malawi ($55m) and Madagascar ($52m), gaining it a profit of $111 million but the loss of tower sharing revenue as a result of the sale of these towers amounted to $29 million per annum.

In March 2021, the Group announced a memorandum of understanding arrangements with Helios Towers for the potential sale of its tower assets in Chad and Gabon, while in February 2022, Airtel Africa announced it had agreed an extension to their memorandum of understanding with Helios Towers in Gabon, with completion still subject to Helios Towers obtaining a passive infrastructure licence.

Related Topics:Airtel Africa Debts Featured Telecoms Towers

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VenturesNow

Moroccan annual inflation rises to 0.8% in November

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s statistics office has confirmed that the country’s annual inflation rate, as determined by the consumer price index, increased from 0.7% in October to 0.8% in November.

Monthly, consumer prices decreased by 0.2% from October.

The primary driver of inflation, food costs, grew by 0.8% compared to the previous year, while non-food inflation climbed by 0.7%. Core inflation, which does not include more erratic items like food, increased 2.6% annually and 0.2% monthly.

According to the central bank, inflation is expected to average 1% this year, down from 6.1% last year.

Despite the Al-Haouz earthquake, a spike in inflation, and worldwide economic challenges, Morocco’s GDP grew by 3.4% in 2023.

A recovery in tourism, robust industrial exports, and rising private consumption—all bolstered by prudent macroeconomic policies—were the main drivers of growth.

VenturesNow

Nigeria’s $42bn foreign reserves enough for 9 months’ imports— Central Bank

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the nation’s $42.01 billion in foreign reserves can cover imports of goods and services for almost nine months.

Cardoso promised Nigerians improved economic fortunes in 2025 while addressing the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions yesterday in Abuja at the presentation of the performance index report.

Cardoso stated: “External Reserves rose from $ 38.35 billion it was on September 30, 2024, to $ 42.01 billion as of December 12, 2024”.

He clarified that third-party receipts in Q3 2024 and revenues from taxes connected to crude oil were the main drivers of the rise in foreign reserves during the specified time.

“We saw remarkable improvements in our trade balance and maintained a current account surplus,” he added.

“Our external reserves level can finance over 9.09 months of import of goods and services or 13.91 months only, higher than the international benchmark of 3.0 months and a robust buffer against shocks”.

On cash shortage, the CBN boss reiterated the N150 million fine against any branch of banks caught illegally distributing new Naira notes to currency hawkers and unscrupulous elements and said the Nigerian economy will improve in 2025 through policies and measures.

He predicted a stronger economic future: “Despite our economy’s challenges, there are clear reasons for optimism.

“The gradual stabilization of the forex market, ongoing banking sector recapitalization, and positive growth trends in key sectors, especially the services sector, indicate a path toward recovery and stability.”