Business
BUA Foods reports 24% revenue growth as Q1 profit hits N125bn
BUA Foods Plc has announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating robust growth across key financial indicators.
The company recorded a revenue growth of 24 per cent to N442.1bn in Q1 2025, up from N356.9bn in the corresponding period of 2024.
The performance was driven by increases in revenue from Flour, which soared 145 per cent to N176.2bn, Pasta rose 12 per cent to N41.5bn, and Rice recorded a 1617 per cent to N13.02bn.
Sugar revenue, however, saw a slight 11 per cent quarter-on-quarter decrease to N211.3bn (Q1 2024: N238.2 billion).
BUA Foods, in a statement on Thursday, said it also reported a gross profit of N160.91bn in Q1 2025, a 39 per cent increase compared to N115.42bn in Q1 2024.
This growth led to an improved gross profit margin of 36.4 per cent, a 406 basis point increase from 32.3 per cent in the prior quarter.
Total operating expenses for the period increased by 56 per cent to N22.39bn (Q1 2024: N14.37 billion), due to increases in selling and distribution expenses, which rose 13 per cent to N11.08bn driven by logistics costs, and administrative expenses up 147% to N11.32bn.
Despite the increase in operating expenses, BUA Foods achieved a 124% in profit after tax to N125.28bn in Q1 2025, compared to N55.82bn in Q1 2024.
Consequently, Earnings per Share also saw a significant increase of 125% to N6.96 from N3.10 in the corresponding period.
The company’s total equities stood strong at N554.34bn as of Q1 2025, representing a 29.2% increase from N429.06bn in FY 2024.
This growth was mainly driven by a 30 per cent increase in retained earnings.
Commenting on the results, the Managing Director, BUA Foods, Dr Ayodele Abioye, said, “We are pleased to begin 2025 on a strong note, as our business continued to demonstrate resilience and adaptability amidst a still-evolving macroeconomic landscape.
Despite operating in a high-cost environment, our proactive supply chain measures and improved internal efficiencies enabled us to sustain strong operational momentum.”
“Revenue increased by 24%, while Net Profit leaped by 124% to N125Billion further re-affirming our position as a leading food business on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
Our ongoing investments in production capacity, product/package innovation and route-to-market development continue to impact our results positively, enabling fulfilment of customer and consumer demand.”
“As we look ahead, we remain focused on deepening our market penetration and accelerating innovation to meet changing consumer needs.
With a stabilizing economy and growing emphasis on food security, we are confident that our unique and integrated business model, strong financial position, and robust execution will continue to enhance our strategic growth and create lasting value for all stakeholders throughout 2025.”
Business
Tony Elumelu’s United Capital Secures approval to operate in Ethiopia
Elumeu lauded the transformational Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency @AbiyAhmedAli , for promoting economic reforms and regional cooperation, the Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority @CMAEthiopia , Ms. Hana Tehelku, and the team at @UnitedCap on this landmark achievement.
United Capital Group has again secured regulatory approvals to commence operations in Ethiopia.
Its Chairman, Tony Elumelu, broke the news on Tuesday, via his official X.
” This development is particularly noteworthy because Ethiopia only recently opened its financial sector to foreign participation, making United Capital’s entry a historic step for both the company and the ongoing integration of African capital markets,” said Elumelu.
Last month, United Capital commenced operations in Rwanda, marking its formal entry into East Africa and reinforcing its ambition to build a leading continental financial services institution.
The Group’s newly established entities include United Capital Trustees Rwanda Limited, licensed to provide trusteeship services, and United Capital Financial Services Rwanda Limited, licensed to offer investment management services, including portfolio management, investment advisory, capital mobilisation, capital market advisory, and fund management solutions.
With this development, United Capital now operates in 11 countries, including Nigeria, with a strong presence in key African markets, a recent expansion into the eight countries within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region, alongside a growing footprint in East Africa.
According to Elumelu, African institutions are increasingly leading, competing, and succeeding across the continent.
For decades, Africa witnessed foreign capital flowing in while profits largely flowed out.
That narrative is beginning to change.
This is Africapitalism in action — a vision that recognizes the importance of both indigenous and international capital working together to finance Africa’s development and unlock shared prosperity.
Elumeu lauded the transformational Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency @AbiyAhmedAli , for promoting economic reforms and regional cooperation, the Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority @CMAEthiopia , Ms. Hana Tehelku, and the team at @UnitedCap on this landmark achievement.
Business
Lagos developing world – class new business district —Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.
• Invest Lagos Summit 3.0: Secretary to the Lagos State Government, ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (right); Member, House of Representatives, Kafilat Ogbara; Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake; Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Jonathan Marland; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade & Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and members of the State Executives Council at the opening of Invest Lagos 3.0, themed: “Lagos – The Business Gateway to Africa”, in Lagos, yesterday.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that as part of efforts to deepen access to global capital, his administration is developing the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), envisioned as a world-class financial district that would strengthen the state’s position as a gateway for investment into Africa.
Speaking yesterday at the third edition of the Invest Lagos Summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, other governors, foreign investors, development finance institutions and business leaders, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was deliberately building a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, infrastructure and private-sector participation.
Sanwo-Olu said that the state had recorded significant economic progress in recent years through targeted reforms across transportation, digital infrastructure and industrial development.
Highlighting key infrastructure achievements, Sanwo-Olu cited investments in road networks, waterways and rail transportation, describing them as critical enablers of economic growth and investor confidence.
The governor noted that Lagos was increasingly serving as a gateway to African markets and global capital, positioning itself at the centre of continental trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, Lagos remains one of the continent’s most strategic economic hubs, with a population exceeding 25 million and a gross domestic product steadily approaching the $300 billion mark.
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1, 362.84
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,821. 30
EURO (EUR) ₦1,574. 53
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,714. 05
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.52
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200.99
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.42
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,863.83
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦302. 83
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.75
Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,395 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,860 Sell: ₦1, 880
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦100 Sell ₦115
West African CFA Buy ₦2,450 Sell ₦2550
Central African CFA Buy ₦2,320 Sell 2,400
Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Sources: CBN / Aboki Forex
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