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Resilient BUA Foods Posts N130.9 Billion Profit Amid Economic Headwinds

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BUA Foods Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading food manufacturing companies, has reported N130.9 billion profit after tax (PAT) for the first half (H1) of 2024, ending June 30.

This represents an increase of 38 percent from the previous year.

This strong performance comes despite significant economic challenges in Africa’s largest economy.

The financial scorecard released at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) highlights BUA Foods’ robust revenue growth, which surged by 110 percent year-on-year to N672.3 billion.

This growth was driven by contributions from its sugar, flour, and pasta divisions as well as the successful commercialization of its rice division.

Specifically, sugar sales increased by 88 percent, flour by 164 percent, and pasta by 95 percent.

“The results from the first half of 2024 reflect a clear growth momentum despite continued challenges in the business environment,” said Ayodele Abioye, Managing Director of BUA Foods Plc.

“Particularly noteworthy is our second quarter performance with a 67 percent increase in sales year-on-year, underscoring the strength of our brands and the trust our consumers place in us.”

However, the company also faced an increase in its cost of sales due to the high input cost environment and the further devaluation of the naira against the US Dollar, which heavily impacted raw material prices.

This led to a depreciation of the gross profit margin by 890 basis points to 32.4 percent. Despite these challenges, BUA Foods demonstrated resilience through cost optimization and operational efficiency.

The company recorded a gross profit of N218.4 billion, reflecting a 64 percent increase. It also logged higher costs of production, selling and distribution expenses, and administrative expenses.

Nevertheless, BUA Foods’ strategic focus on efficiency enabled it to maintain profitability.

Key highlights of BUA Foods’ financial performance in the first half of 2024 include a rise in earnings per share (EPS) by 37 percent to N7.27, a 75 percent surge in operating profit, and a 3 percent increase in total assets driven largely by strategic transactions in trade and other receivables as well as capital investment.

The company also reported a 50 percent increase in total equity and a 12 percent decrease in total liabilities.

“The first half of the year has been one of significant resilience and achievements for our company,” Abioye commented.

“We attained a robust financial performance, with total revenue increasing by 110 percent to N672.3 billion compared to the same period last year. Our gross profit stands at N218.4 billion, reflecting a growth of 64 percent.”

Abioye attributed the company’s solid performance to strategic initiatives, operational efficiency, and the dedication of its employees.

He also highlighted the successful launch of new products, including macaroni, premium pasta, and semolina, which have met consumer demand and contributed to revenue growth.

Looking ahead, BUA Foods remains confident in its ability to navigate market challenges and opportunities.

The company plans to continue leveraging its strong supply chain system to deliver outstanding financial performance and create sustainable growth and value for its stakeholders.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Dangote Refinery Denies NNPC Petrol Lifting Claims Amid Ongoing Contract Talks

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Dangote Refinery

Dangote Refinery has refuted claims that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had begun lifting petrol from the refinery and set the pump price at N897 per litre.

In the BusinessDay publication, the newspaper reported that NNPC commenced petrol lifting on Wednesday and set the pump price at N897/litre.

Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Refinery clarified that NNPC has not yet begun lifting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the refinery.

According to Chiejina, discussions between Dangote Refinery and NNPC on the contract for petrol lifting are still ongoing and have yet to be finalized.

Chiejina said since no petrol has been lifted, the claim of setting a price for the product is unfounded.

He further noted that the pricing of PMS falls under the jurisdiction of the government and is strictly regulated, meaning Dangote Refinery has no authority to set prices independently.

The company assured Nigerians that once operations begin, the refinery will deliver high-quality petroleum products across the country.

Chiejina urged the public to disregard the misleading headline and assured that accurate information will be provided as the refinery prepares to commence full operations.

The statement concluded by reiterating Dangote Refinery’s focus on contributing to Nigeria’s energy sector and meeting the nation’s demand for top-tier petroleum products.

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Volvo to Launch Electric Truck With 600 km Range

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Volvo

Up to 600 km on one single charge. That’s how far Volvo’s next-generation heavy-duty electric truck will be able to drive. The longer range represents a breakthrough for long-distance transport with zero tailpipe emissions.

The electrification of heavy trucks is continuing across the world and longer distances are now becoming a possibility.

Next year Volvo will launch a new long-range version of its FH Electric that will be able to reach up to 600 km on one charge.

This will allow transport companies to operate electric trucks on interregional and long-distance routes and to drive a full working day without having to recharge. The new Volvo FH Electric will be released for sale during the second half of 2025.

“Our new electric flagship will be a great complement to our wide range of electric trucks and enable zero-exhaust emission transport also for the longer distances. It will be a great solution for transport companies with a high annual mileage on their trucks and with a strong commitment to reduce CO2,” says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.

Five years of electric leadership

The enabler for the 600 km range is Volvo’s new driveline technology, the so-called e-axle, which creates space for significantly more battery capacity onboard. More efficient batteries, a further improved battery management system and overall efficiency of the powertrain also contribute to the extended range.

Volvo Trucks is a global leader in medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks with eight battery-electric models in their portfolio.

The wide product range makes it possible to electrify city and regional distribution, construction, waste management and, soon, long distance transport. Volvo has so far delivered more than 3,800 electric trucks to customers in 46 countries around the world.

“The transport sector represents seven percent of global carbon emissions. Battery-electric trucks are  important tools to reduce the climate footprint. Besides the important environmental gains that electric trucks bring, they offer truck drivers a much better working environment, with much lower levels of noise and vibrations,” says Roger Alm.

Volvo Trucks drives the transition towards fossil-free transport to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2040 using a three-path technology strategy.

The three-path technology approach is built on battery electric, fuel cell electric and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels like green hydrogen, biogas or HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil).

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Dangote Refinery Starts Gasoline Output Amid NNPC’s Struggles with $6 Billion Debt

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Dangote Refinery

Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has begun processing gasoline after delays caused by recent crude shortages, an executive said on Monday.

The $20 billion refinery on the outskirts of Lagos, built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, began operations in January with output of products including naphtha and jet fuel.

With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Africa’s largest refinery promises to ease oil producer Nigeria’s costly reliance on imported oil products.

“We are testing the product (gasoline) and subsequently it will start flowing into the product tanks,” said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president at Dangote Industries Limited.

He did not say exactly when the gasoline would hit the local market.

Edwin said state-oil firm NNPC Ltd, Nigeria’s sole importer of gasoline, would buy its gasoline exclusively.

“If no one is buying it, we will export it as we have been exporting our aviation jet fuel and diesel,” Edwin said.

The delivery of gasoline into the Nigerian market will ease NNPC’s struggle to supply the local market.

The company is reeling with debts of $6 billion to oil traders for supply since January.

This has affected its ability to supply the local market where fuel queues have persisted since July.

Prices have jumped by 45% from the official price of 617 naira ($0.3942) announced after subsidies were removed last year.

“The news that Dangote is processing gasoline couldn’t come at a more crucial time given NNPC’s statement about its difficulties securing imported supply due to financial strain,” said Clementine Wallop, director, sub-Saharan Africa at political risk consultancy Horizon Engage.

She said this “prompts the question of how NNPC will manage purchasing from Dangote, and impresses the need for greater transparency in its finances”.

Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer yet it imports almost all its fuel due to years of neglect of its national refineries.

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