21 January 2011
Mounting concern about a huge outflow of money from Nigeria ’s “rainy day” oil fund has prompted some big investors to shun the country’s debut international bond issue on Friday.
Nigerian officials said an investor roadshow to market the $500m bond issue had generated considerable appetite among international investors.
However, several major funds have told the Financial Times they are not interested in the deal because of Nigeria’s deteriorating fiscal situation and worries about how President Goodluck Jonathan’s government has run the excess crude account, designed to store up windfall oil revenues.
The account was set up under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who stood down following 2007 elections. At that time there was $20bn in the fund. But as recently as last September there was less than $400m, according to public disclosures, which showed billions flowing out of the account last year.
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