Africa

South African mobile operator Cell C completed the restructuring of its debt this week, following a R16.4bn ($1.2bn) recapitalisation by new and existing shareholders.

Gabon on Monday raised $200m with a reopening of its bonds maturing 2025 in a week that has also kept investors in African Eurobonds on their toes with a no-confidence vote in South Africa and presidential elections in Kenya.

African politics had the focus of EM bond investors on Wednesday morning with South Africa’s president Zuma surviving a no-confidence vote, and Kenya’s presidential vote looking like a victory for the incumbent, Uhuru Kenyatta. Africa has also provided this week’s only new issue, a $200m tap from the Gabon.

Gabon on Monday placed a $200m reopening of its 2025s with no new issue premium in what bankers described as good trade all round.

Gabon reopened its 2025s on Monday morning to take advantage of a recent five cash point rally in its debt.

Republic of Congo is in technical default after a $21m interest and principal payment on its Eurobond maturing 2029 did not reach investors during the 30 day grace period. The government announced plans to issue a Eurobond in its budget for the second year running, but international market access is likely to be closed until the problem is resolved, according to analysts.

A solitary capital increase from Monday was the stand-out trade of a meagre bunch in equity capital markets this week, with the IPO market on pause until September.

Foschini Group, the South African fashion retailer, raised R2.5bn ($190m) of equity capital on Monday night, in an accelerated capital increase that was increased from R2bn.

Foschini Group, the South African retailer of clothing, cosmetics and jewellery, has launched the sale of R2bn ($150m) worth of new shares to repay a loan used for an acquisition in Australia.

Republic of Congo looked dangerously close to default on Monday morning with the bonds holding around a cash price of 70 as investors, who are waiting for a $21m interest and principal payment, await an update from the sovereign. The 30 day grace period for repayment expired on Sunday.

Steinhoff Europe made its debut in senior euro corporate bond markets on Monday and was the only issuer to offer investors a transaction on the day. The €750m 7.5 year deal followed a European roadshow last week.

Investors jumped at the chance to buy rare longer dated investment grade African risk on Thursday enabling Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD) to raise $850m with a 10 year benchmark on Thursday.