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Buy Out African Bondholders With IMF Resources, AfDB Chief Says

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International Monetary Fund resources should be used to buy out holders of African bonds and avert a crisis as a global push for debt relief runs aground, the head of the continent’s biggest multilateral lender said.

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, said the Common Framework — created by the Group of 20 leading economies to get private sector creditors involved in debt workouts alongside public lenders — is unlikely to be used again in its current state as countries fear ratings downgrades if they apply.

Yet many African nations are in desperate need of debt relief as they’ll struggle to meet huge repayments to investors in the coming years, Adesina said. To get the private sector on board, he proposed buying back foreign bonds with some of the $650 billion of reserve assets known as Special Drawing Rights that the IMF is planning to issue this year.

“Those bullet payments when they become due — and I don’t think Africa will be in a position to pay them — will really cause a major, major debt crisis down the line,” Adesina said in an interview with Bloomberg News in Paris. “We need to use some of the SDRs as a way of buying down some of that debt, but also conditionally asking the private sector to join the G-20 Common Framework.”

Read more: Paris Club Seizes Pandemic Opportunity to Reclaim Lost Influence

Adesina’s proposal comes as leaders gather in Paris for a conference hosted by France on the financing of African economies. The efforts of international lenders have so far focused on suspending debt-servicing costs, but that does little to address the size of the $700 billion debt pile or involve the private sector, which holds more than half of that debt.

The framework is available to 73 poor countries, but only Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia have so far requested it. In February, Fitch Ratings downgraded Ethiopia, saying its decision to request G-20 help raised the risk of default, while Moody’s has placed the country on review.

There are also doubts over whether the IMF’s SDR allocation alone can restore the finances of African nations, with Fitch saying in March it would not be enough to solve imbalances.

“The debt of Africa right now is too much, it’s like running up a hill with a backpack of sand,” Adesina said. “This issue is not going to go away unless we find a mechanism to buy down some of that private-sector debt.”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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African ESG Bond Issuance Surges to $4.4bn in 2024

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The landscape of sustainable investment in Africa is experiencing a significant upswing as the issuance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) bonds by African entities hit $4.4 billion in 2024.

This substantial increase highlights a growing commitment among African institutions to raise funds for investments aligned with ESG principles.

The surge in ESG bond issuance underscores a broader trend towards responsible and sustainable investing on the continent.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) emerges as a key player in this segment, having successfully issued social bonds worth $2 billion in January 2024, in addition to hybrid sustainable bonds amounting to $750 million.

Joining the AfDB in this endeavor is the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), which, with the support of the African Export-Import Bank, has issued bonds totaling €500 million.

This momentum in the ESG bond market has propelled financial institutions like BNP Paribas, JPMorgan, and Bank of America Securities into leading positions as arrangers for such bonds on the continent.

The surge in ESG bond issuance reflects a broader global trend towards sustainable finance, with the total value of emissions of this kind expected to reach $950 billion in 2024, according to Moody’s.

It is evident that ESG bonds are gaining traction in Africa, supported by development finance institutions and initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and development across the continent.

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Coinbase Unveils $1 Billion Convertible Bond Plan to Fuel Growth

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Coinbase Global, Inc., the renowned cryptocurrency exchange platform, has announced its strategic move to bolster its financial position by initiating a private sale of $1 billion in convertible senior notes.

The bonds, set to mature in 2030, come with an additional provision allowing initial buyers to acquire an extra $150 million to address potential over-allotments.

This ambitious plan, aimed at fortifying Coinbase’s financial foundation, underscores the company’s commitment to fostering growth and expansion in the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

The proceeds from the convertible bond issuance are earmarked for “working capital and capital expenditures,” reflecting Coinbase’s strategic vision to drive innovation and enhance its market presence.

Convertible bonds offer a unique avenue for Coinbase to raise capital, providing investors with the flexibility to convert their holdings into company stock.

This approach not only diversifies Coinbase’s funding sources but also potentially reduces interest costs compared to traditional debt financing methods.

The decision to opt for convertible bonds aligns with Coinbase’s strategy to navigate market dynamics effectively while maximizing shareholder value.

Amidst recent operational challenges, including glitches during bitcoin’s price surges, Coinbase remains steadfast in its pursuit of growth opportunities.

Coinbase’s move to secure $1 billion through convertible bonds underscores its confidence in the long-term prospects of the cryptocurrency industry.

As the company continues to innovate and adapt to market trends, investors are poised to witness Coinbase’s strategic vision translate into sustained growth and value creation in the dynamic world of digital assets.

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Nigeria Taps Citibank, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs for Eurobond Issue

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Nigeria has taken a significant step towards its first eurobond issue since 2022 by enlisting the expertise of top-tier investment banks, including Citibank NA, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that the eurobond offer, anticipated before June, is yet to have its size determined.

The decision to tap into international debt markets underscores Nigeria’s quest to secure external funding to meet its expenditure requirements amidst fiscal needs.

With Africa’s largest oil producer potentially eyeing up to $1 billion in external borrowing this year, the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s approved spending plan of 28.8 trillion naira ($18 billion) for 2024.

Amidst Nigeria’s ambitious fiscal targets, including a budget deficit of 9.8 trillion naira, equivalent to 3.8% of gross domestic product (GDP), external borrowings remain a vital component for financing infrastructure projects and stimulating economic growth.

The engagement of renowned investment banks reflects Nigeria’s efforts to instill confidence among foreign investors and attract capital inflows.

Since assuming office in May, President Bola Tinubu has spearheaded a series of reforms aimed at revitalizing the economy, including currency devaluation and subsidy removals.

In addition to Citibank, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs, Standard Chartered Bank and Lagos-based Chapel Hill Denham have been engaged as advisers by the Nigerian government.

This strategic move signals Nigeria’s determination to leverage global financial expertise in navigating its fiscal landscape and tapping into international capital markets to bolster economic development.

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