The Federal Government has recently broadened the scope of the nation's economy with the launch of a domestic sovereign bond denominated in foreign currency.

This initiative is set to create a new market segment for both governmental and corporate entities. Mr. Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who officiated the bond's inauguration, emphasized the potential advantages associated with it.

Experts have indicated that this development will significantly enhance investment opportunities and facilitate the availability of funds for capital projects.

The Series I $500 million Domestic FGN US Dollar Bond is scheduled to be auctioned on Monday.

This pioneering initiative in the country's financial landscape features a five-year term with bi-annual interest payments in the currency of issuance, while the principal will be repaid at the end of the term.

The bond will be listed on both the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and the FMDQ Securities Exchange, ensuring liquidity and accessibility for a diverse array of investors.

There are prospects that the government may raise up to $2 billion, which represents the total size of the approved scalable bond issuance program.

Nigeria's sovereign bonds have attracted significant interest from investors, largely due to the reforms implemented by the Tinubu Administration, which is recognized for its favorable approach towards investment.

While the specifics of the bond will be disclosed in the auction document on Monday, initial information suggests a minimum subscription requirement of $10,000, with subsequent investments permitted in increments of $1,000.

The net proceeds from this inaugural issuance are intended primarily for investment in essential sectors of the economy, aligning with the nation's economic development agenda.

During the announcement of the $500 million bond in Lagos, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, described it as a significant move towards economic transformation that is expected to further entice both local and international investors.

He noted that the bond issuance would enhance the Nigerian financial system and create opportunities for the country to leverage the substantial resources of its Diaspora community.

In his opinion, the bond issuance will enable Nigeria to obtain foreign currency from Nigerian expatriates and international investors who have confidence in the Tinubu Administration’s macroeconomic reform initiatives.

“This historic initiative is aimed at raising a minimum of $500 million from both local and international investors, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing economic reform and development efforts,” Edun said.

The financial market thrives on creativity and innovation, and it is essential to encourage investors to participate in this strategic opportunity.

The current economic policies have had positive outcomes, including increased government revenue, improved trade balance, ongoing capital expenditures, stability in the naira and the foreign exchange market, and the taming of inflation.

The government Is working to permanently address the problem of food insecurity by revitalizing the sector through mechanization, expanding agricultural participation, and investing in emerging opportunities.

Edun emphasized the government's effective measures to combat inflation and poverty, including the elimination of levies on food imports and the direct financial assistance provided to the most vulnerable segments of the population.

He stressed the critical role of dollar funding in stabilizing the exchange rate, which he identified as essential for the nation's economic stability.

In discussing the obstacles faced by African countries in the global capital markets, Edun noted that the existing rating systems often disadvantage the continent. However, he expressed Nigeria's commitment to leading efforts in fostering both domestic and international confidence.

He asserted that with the recent historic bond issuance, Nigeria is set to emerge as a financial hub for the continent, enabling other African nations to access capital and stimulate economic development. Experts unanimously acknowledged the significance and advantages of the new bond issuance.

Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe, Managing Director of Arthur Steven Asset Management, pointed out that Nigeria finds itself in a unique situation where a considerable number of its citizens hold substantial dollar deposits in domiciliary accounts, which yield no returns and do not significantly contribute to economic activity.

He stated that the bond offers an avenue for the investment of seemingly idle funds, thereby generating substantial returns while simultaneously benefiting from the hedging advantages associated with holding a reserve currency.

“This instrument also provides the Federal Government the much-needed dollar liquidity for the forex market which hopefully will lead to the strengthening of the naira.

“This could ultimately have a positive knock-on effect on inflation and consequently interest rates.

“This is also a positive move for the capital markets as it increases product variety and liquidity within the market,” Amolegbe said.

The Managing Director of AIICO Capital, Dr. Femi Ademola, announced the launch of a domestic foreign currency-denominated bond. This bond fulfills the government’s commitment to attracting funding from Nigerians residing abroad.

Dr. Ademola emphasized that this bond enables Nigerians to invest their foreign currency in dollars, eliminating concerns about potential value loss due to naira devaluation.

“The success of this issuance will be a confidence boost for the country and the current administration.

“It would also allow the government to channel the remittances into more profitable ventures for investors.

“In terms of impacting the financial market, the effect will be the same as the issuance of Eurobonds. The instruments would be tradeable in the market, thus deepening the market further,” Ademola said.

David Adonri, Managing Director of HighCap Securities, articulated that the domestic dollar bond will provide domiciliary account holders with the opportunity to generate substantial income from their typically non-interest yielding deposits held in Nigerian banks.

He further noted that this bond will help mitigate capital flight, as interest payments will remain within the local economy.

“Generally, it is an attractive investment outlet for domestic investors who have been yearning for investment in dollar-denominated assets locally. It will deepen the country’s capital market,” Adonri said.

He, however, emphasized the necessity for the government to guarantee the prudent utilization of the capital acquired.