PRESS RELEASE—In fostering the development of the Nigerian Debt Capital Markets (DCM), FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange” or “The Exchange”) has continued to avail its credible and efficient platform as well as tailor its Listings and Quotations services to suit the needs of Issuers and Registration Members (sponsors of the issue on FMDQ Exchange) through innovative and uninterrupted service delivery. Following the due diligence process, the Exchange, through its Board Listings and Markets Committee, is pleased to announce the approval of the quotation of the Valency Agro Nigeria Limited ₦5.12 billion Series 1 Commercial Paper (CP) under its ₦20.00 billion CP Programme on its platform.
The Valency Agro Nigeria Limited (“Valency Agro” or “The Company”) CP debut issue comes at a time where the Nigerian economy is bedeviled with soaring food prices, amidst compounding challenges of insecurity. The agricultural sector and its attendant transformation agenda have never been more important in driving increased and sustainable production of agricultural products as well as the derived foreign earnings through exports. The proceeds from this issue of the CP will be applied by Valency Agro towards meeting the mid-term working capital requirements of the various agricultural produce under its portfolio such as cashew, sesame, cocoa and in value addition prior to export.
Commenting on the issuance, the Executive Director, Valency Agro Nigeria Limited, Mr. Sumit Jain, mentioned “We are thankful to our investors towards showing their faith in our agenda to grow the agriculture focused business with a clear aim to maximise value addition and create employment opportunities in Nigeria. We would also like to commend the efforts made by FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited’s team to build the reach and FMDQ for their unconditional support for the industry”.
According to Mr. Oluseun Olatidoye, Head, Capital Markets, FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, “FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited is delighted with the successful debut of the ₦5.12 Billion Series 1 CP issued by Valency Agro Nigeria Limited. This reiterates our effort to enable underserved sectors access the debt markets, optimise their capital structure and further deepen the domestic capital markets. We are proud of the instrumental role FBNQuest Merchant Bank played in this transaction and appreciate the trust the management of Valency Agro placed in us to assist them. Our clients remain our priority, and we strongly believe their success is our success”.
The timely admission of this CP, and in general, securities on FMDQ Exchange, is a testament to the efficient processes and integrated systems through which FMDQ Holdings PLC (FMDQ Group or FMDQ), through its wholly owned subsidiaries – FMDQ Exchange, FMDQ Clear Limited, FMDQ Depository Limited and FMDQ Private Markets Limited – has continued to create unique value for its diverse stakeholders during this peculiar time and beyond.
In keeping with its commitment to the development of the market, FMDQ Exchange shall sustain its efforts in supporting issuers with tailored financing options to enable them achieve their strategic objectives, deepen and effectively position the Nigerian DCM for growth, in support of the realisation of a globally competitive and vibrant economy. With a vision to become “the leading African builder of ecosystems of financial infrastructure and services for markets”, and a mission to “collaborate to empower markets for economic progress towards delivering prosperity”, FMDQ Group is unwavering in its pursuit of product and market innovation and as well as stakeholder engagement, towards making the Nigerian financial markets Globally competitive, Operationally excellent, Liquid and Diverse, in line with its GOLD Agenda.
FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group providing a one-stop platform for the seamless and cost-efficient execution, risk management, clearing, settlement and depository services, as well as data and information services across the debt capital, foreign exchange and derivatives markets in Nigeria.
