The Nigerian Stock Exchange on Friday announced the listing of the N10.69bn, five-year Federal Government Sovereign Green Bond at a coupon rate of 13.48 per cent on the bourse by the Debt Management Office.
The Sovereign Green Bond is part of a strategic process by the Federal Government to add to the nation’s funding options to catalyse the rebound of the economy and offer the vast majority of Nigerians a new alternative.
According to a statement by the NSE, the listing of the bond, which is the country’s first-ever certified green bond and the first in an emerging market, is a testament to the Exchange’s continued vision of pushing green finance and more broadly, the sustainable development agenda in Nigeria.
Commenting on the listing, the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, said, “Admitting the first-ever sovereign green bond in an emerging market is yet another milestone for the Exchange and is a further affirmation of our unique platform to support both the Federal Government and businesses to access capital for sustainable initiatives.
“The listing of the FGN Green Bond represents a new stage in the development of Nigerian capital markets and opens the way for further corporate issuance and international investments. As a member of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange Initiative, we are committed to developing this enormous opportunity for Nigeria.”
The Director-General, DMO, Ms Patience Oniha, described the listing as an opportunity to enable Nigeria to tap into the growing global market for green bonds.
“The DMO is proud to list the N10.69bn FGN Green Bond 2022 on the NSE and expects that trading this instrument will not only bring about climate change awareness, but will also diversify the Nigerian capital market and attract more investors,” she added.
Source: PUNCH.
