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MAN Warns Against Supply of 1.250 million Substandard Smart Energy Meters To DisCos By Foreign Firms

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By Ocheneyi Alli

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that a repeat of supplying substandard energy meters by foreign companies to the electricity distributions companies (DisCos) is about to happen again, as the contract prices and terms fixed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) doesn’t favour local meter manufacturers.

In a document, titled ‘ The National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) Phase 11 World Bank Funded Scheme For The Supply and Installation of 1.250 million Smart Energy Meters To Eleven Electricity Distribution Companies In Energy BID: DREP-PPI, CREDIT NO: 9206-NG, PROJECT ID NO: P172891′, MAN said : ” We are deeply concerned over the impending displacement of local meter manufacturers and assemblers in the downstream of the power sector in the process of government’s implementation of the NMMP Phase II World Bank funded supply of 1.2 million smart energy meters.

” The advertised financial requirements and the technical specifications by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) appears to be skewed against local manufacturers as they are outrageously stringent and negate the CBN guidelines for the implementation of National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

This is a federal government’s intervention in power sector to accelerate energy meter supply in the country to bridge the metering gap and ought to be in sync with our overall national economic development objectives.

The financial requirements and the technical specifications laid down by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has sidelined the local meter manufacturers from participating in the implementation of the contracts.

Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the Director-General of MAN, said : ” We warn that this portends grave danger for the power sector as we may be witnessing a repeat of the ugly scenario in 2012 when local manufacturers were sidelined in the meter supply and the nation was greeted with supply of substandard meters supplied by the foreign companies that were awarded the contract that were later removed from the network.”

He notes that despite the capacities and the track records of the local meter manufacturers and assemblers across the country (the like of Momas Systems Nigeria Limited; Mojec International Limited, etc) in the energy contracts executions , again they are being displaced in the implementation of the NMMP Phase 11 contracts by the TCN.

He notes for instance , that local manufacturers deployed and installed a total number of 611,231 energy meters across the country between January 2019 till 31st January, 2021.

This is corroborated by the report of the Regulatory Agency, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, under the Meter Assets Provider (MAP) initiative of the federal government.

Also, they deployed  and installed 1million energy meters across the country under the phase zero of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

This is under the Federal Government intervention aimed at increasing the metering rate to eliminate the inglorious and arbitrary estimated billing and strengthening the local meter value chain, as well as creating jobs.

Of course, this has also helped in reducing collection losses and increasing financial flows to achieve 100% market remittance obligations of the Discos and improving network monitoring capability and availability of data for market administration and investment decision making.

It should recall that our members have been denied the opportunity to fully execute the contract for the supply and installation of 4 million energy meters under the Phase 1 of the NMMP scheme.

This was due to the unrealistic terms that arbitrarily fixed the contract prices extremely and far below the approved regulatory prices of energy meters in the country.

Additionally, the contractual term of payment after the supply and installation of the meters have not been adhered to, thereby jeopardizing the financial capabilities of our members that participated in the scheme.

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Business

Afreximbank Leads $4bn Financing for Dangote Refinery with $2.5bn Commitment

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African Export-Import Bank has underwritten $2.5 billion in a $4 billion senior syndicated term loan for Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, in a move aimed at strengthening the refinery’s financial position and supporting its long-term growth and expansion strategy.

The five-year facility, arranged alongside Access Bank as co-Mandated Lead Arrangers, is designed to consolidate existing debt, optimise the refinery’s capital structure and align its financing with current operational realities.

The transaction marks a significant milestone for the Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest refining and petrochemical complex with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

Afreximbank’s $2.5 billion participation represents the largest share of the syndicate, underscoring its strategic role in mobilising capital for industrial projects across the continent.

The bank said the financing aligns with its mandate to promote industrialisation, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products and deepen intra-African trade.

Since refining operations commenced in February 2024, Afreximbank has played a key role in supporting the project, including providing a $1 billion working capital facility and acting as financial adviser on the Naira-for-Crude initiative, which facilitates crude procurement and product sales in local currency.

Speaking during a strategy session in Cairo, Egypt, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, George Elombi, said the bank’s continued backing reflects confidence in indigenous African enterprises.

“We take immense pride in being the single largest provider of financing to the Dangote Group. We do so primarily because Dangote is African,” he said.

“When we invest in ourselves, we do more than create jobs and wealth or expand government revenues; we build a secure and resilient future for our continent”

Elombi disclosed that Afreximbank has committed about $15 billion to Dangote Group since 2015, highlighting the scale of its long-term partnership with the conglomerate.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, described the financing as a critical step in positioning the refinery for its next phase of expansion.

“This financing marks an important step in strengthening the financial foundation of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and positions the business for the next phase of its growth,” he said.

“We appreciate Afreximbank’s continued support and confidence in our vision to build world-class industrial capacity that serves Nigeria, Africa and global markets.”

The syndicated loan attracted strong participation from a mix of African and international financial institutions, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the refinery as a transformative industrial asset in advancing Africa’s energy security, reducing import dependence and supporting the continent’s broader industrialisation agenda.

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BUA Foods Plc Reports Strong 2025 Performance with ₦1.77 Trillion Revenue, Proposes Record ₦28 Dividend per Share

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Leading Nigerian food manufacturer BUA Foods Plc has announced robust full-year 2025 audited results, with revenue climbing 16% to ₦1.77 trillion from ₦1.53 trillion in 2024.

The growth was driven by sustained consumer demand for the company’s core staples sugar, flour, pasta, and rice alongside higher sales volumes and strategic pricing amid a challenging economic environment marked by inflationary pressures on households.

Profit after tax nearly doubled, rising 95% to ₦518.4 billion, while gross profit surged to ₦737.3 billion from ₦540.8 billion the previous year.

Operating profit also increased significantly to ₦656.6 billion.In a strong signal of confidence in its outlook and commitment to shareholder value, the Board of Directors has proposed a final dividend of ₦28 per ordinary share of 50 kobo.

This represents a 115% increase from the ₦13 per share paid in 2024, translating to a total payout of approximately ₦504 billion, subject to approval by shareholders at the company’s 2026 Annual General Meeting.

Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu highlighted the results, stating that the substantial dividend hike underscores the company’s dedication to rewarding investors while continuing to invest in business expansion and operational efficiency.

BUA Foods, a major player in Nigeria’s food processing sector controlled by billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu, has continued to benefit from scale advantages, market expansion, and resilient demand for essential food products despite broader economic headwinds.

The company’s shares have reacted positively in recent trading, reflecting investor optimism over the strong earnings and generous dividend proposal.

Full details of the financial statements were filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Monday.

Analysts view the performance as a testament to BUA Foods’ robust business model and ability to navigate Nigeria’s macroeconomic challenges through volume growth and cost discipline.

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OPay launches new office in Jos

” Opening this office in Jos allows us to stay closer to the people we serve, better understand their needs, and continue to provide fast, secure, and reliable financial services that improve everyday life.”

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OPay has officially launched its new office in Jos, Plateau State.

Speaking at the event, OPay’s Chief Operations and Technology Officer, Dotun Adekunle, said that the new Jos office reflects OPay’s continued commitment to putting customers first and advancing financial inclusion across Nigeria.

He said :” Our customers are at the center of everything we do.

Opening this office in Jos allows us to stay closer to the people we serve, better understand their needs, and continue to provide fast, secure, and reliable financial services that improve everyday life.”

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