Business
MTN rebounds to profitability, hikes dividend and plans share buybacks
For the full year 2025, strong performances in MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana , as well as 3.6 billion rand in cost savings, delivered a profit before tax of 47.4 billion rand ($2.81 billion).
Africa’s biggest telecoms operator MTN Group said on Monday it has rebounded to an annual profit and would pay shareholders a dividend that exceeded guidance and planned to buy back shares.
Reuters reports that the strong performance in the year ended December 31 followed a difficult 2024 for the group, when its largest business, MTN Nigeria was hit by sharp currency devaluations, surging inflation and high interest rates.
For the full year 2025, strong performances in MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana , as well as 3.6 billion rand in cost savings, delivered a profit before tax of 47.4 billion rand ($2.81 billion).
That compared to a restated loss before tax of 4.1 billion rand in 2024.
At the market opening in Johannesburg, South Africa-headquartered MTN shares surged 7.4% before paring gains to trade 4.8% higher at 0943 GMT.
The operator declared a final dividend of 500 cents per share, up 45%, and 35% above the 370 cents minimum MTN had guided for the period.
Group CEO Ralph Mupita said in a media call that MTN would introduce an enhanced framework, targeting an annual distribution of 40% to 60% of equity-free cash flow in shareholder remuneration, effective now.
The framework includes a minimum cash dividend of 40% of equity‑free cash flow, with an additional 20% available for further cash payouts or share repurchases.
Mupita said the board had approved a buyback of up to 6 billion rand, “to be executed opportunistically over three years from 2026”.
The group’s service revenue rose 22.7% to 218.5 billion rand, led by strong growth of 54.9% and 35.9% in Nigeria and Ghana, respectively, the mobile operator said.
(Reuters)
Business
Nigerian Lawmakers Demand Arrest of World Bank Official Calling for Reinstatement of Petroleum Import Licences
Declaring the unnamed World Bank official persona non grata, the Committee gave the Bank 30 days to issue a public retraction and written apology.
The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has call for the dismissal and arrest of the World Bank official responsible for the April 7, 2026 Nigeria Development Update, which recommended the reinstatement of petroleum import licences.
The Committee described the recommendation as a reckless move capable of undermining Nigeria’s indigenous refining capacity.
In a formal resolution, the Committee condemned the World Bank report, which claimed that imported petroleum products are 12 percent cheaper than those from the Dangote Refinery.
It rejected the position as contrary to Nigeria’s national economic interest and an unacceptable interference in the country’s sovereign petroleum policy.
Declaring the unnamed World Bank official persona non grata, the Committee gave the Bank 30 days to issue a public retraction and written apology.
It further demanded that the staff member responsible for the report be relieved of their duties and subjected to investigation.
Business
Senate approves Tinubu’s $516.3m loan
The syndicated financing facility is being sought from Deutsche Bank, according to a letter of request Tinubu sent to the Senate last Thursday.
The Senate has approved the $516.3 million loan requested by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The money will be used for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway (Section One, Phase 1A and B).
The approval was given on Wednesday after the Senate considered the report of its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
The committee, chaired by Senator Magatagarda Wamakko, recommended the approval of the loan.
The syndicated financing facility is being sought from Deutsche Bank, according to a letter of request Tinubu sent to the Senate last Thursday.
Business
Ibukun Awosika resigns from Cadbury board
The resignation takes effect from May 1, 2026, according to a statement signed by the company secretary, Afolasade Olowe.
Ibukun Awosika has resigned from the board of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, after more than 16 years of service.
The resignation takes effect from May 1, 2026, according to a statement signed by the company secretary, Afolasade Olowe.
The board expressed appreciation for her contributions since joining as a Non-Executive Director in October 2009 and noted that a replacement would be announced in due course.
Nigerian Lawmakers Demand Arrest of World Bank Official Calling for Reinstatement of Petroleum Import Licences
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