News
Agusto, GCR Affirm InfraCredit’s ‘AAA’ Long Term Credit Ratings

Rating agencies, Agusto & Co and Global Credit Ratings (GCR) have re-affirmed the “AAA” credit rating of Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited (InfraCredit), specialised infrastructure credit guarantee institution.
InfraCredit is backed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, GuarantCo and InfraCo Africa (Private Infrastructure Development Group companies), KfW Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, and African Development Bank, to provide local currency guarantees and mobilise long term debt financing for infrastructure in Nigeria.
Assigning the highest credit rating on InfraCredit, GCR said: “The rating is underpinned by the uniqueness of InfraCredit operations as a credit guarantee provider, and the company’s strong capitalisation, liquidity, and asset quality position, albeit counterbalanced by its self-regulated status.”
According to the rating agency, InfraCredit posts a strong financial profile score of 5.25, one of the highest in the financial services industry underpinned by the company’s growing capital buffers, liquidity, and broader balance sheet strength, which are complemented by the sound governance and risk management culture; key fundamentals underscores the credibility of InfraCredit as a guarantor and more importantly the sustainability of the business model.
“InfraCredit grew its core capital by 64 per cent within the review period, following the equity investments of InfraCo Africa and retained earnings.
“The strength of the rating is also partly supported by the commitment of the capital providers and the prospect of InfraCredit to sustainably grow its capital base through internally generated capital by way of earnings retention and new capital injection from existing and prospective equity and debt capital providers,” the firm said.
According to Agusto, the rating takes cognisance of the technical, governance and capital support extended by the shareholders as well as GuarantCo Management Company Limited, the callable capital provider.
In affirming the “AAA” rating and reflecting InfraCredit’s unparallel credit quality, Agusto & Co. asserted: “The rating assigned also reflects the quality of InfraCredit’s guarantees and investment portfolios backed by an acceptable risk management framework, good return on investments during the year and an experienced management team.”
The affirmation of the rating reinforces the strength of InfraCredit’s transaction structuring, quality of guarantee portfolio and overall risk management practice, especially as it impressively sustains the history of zero delinquency, a proven quality of its instruments and obligors.
In addition, Agusto emphasised the increasing diversity of the equity base, noting the USD27mn investment of InfraCo Africa during the review period, as it reflects the capacity of InfraCredit to consistently scale up capital, as may be required in growing its guarantee portfolio.
Speaking on the ratings actions, Chinua Azubike, Managing Director/CEO, InfraCredit, said: “The simultaneous affirmations of InfraCredit’s “AAA”rating, with stable outlook, by Agusto and GCR is a validation of our balance sheet capacity and more importantly the credibility of our guarantee instruments.
“We will continue to leverage our unique capabilities and innovative approach in deepening the debt capital markets for infrastructure finance in the country, particularly as we strengthen our collaboration with domestic and multilateral partners in unlocking blended finance and latent capital for commercially viable infrastructure projects, targeted at enhancing standards of living and supporting inclusive growth in Nigeria,” it added.
News
CAC Flags Three Companies, Warns Nigerians

Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has warned Nigerians against transacting with three fake Nigerian firms, citing fraudulent incorporation documents and registration numbers not issued by the commission.
According to the CAC, these companies are using fake certificates of incorporation with two different RC numbers each, none of which exist in the commission’s official records.
The affected companies are SPEF Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265884 and 512862, UPIL Staff Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265837 and 553220, and PREM Staff Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265844 and 545901.
The CAC warns that any Nigerian conducting business with these entities does so at their own risk.
“Anyone that transacts any business with the above-mentioned companies does so at their own risk,” the commission warned.
The commission further advised potential partners and investors to verify registration details directly through its official portal before signing contracts or making payments.
Similarly, the CAC, in a bid to enhance its services, introduced an AI-powered business registration platform on July 3, designed to streamline incorporations.
This new system offers instant name reservations, automated business-name suggestions, and same-day registration using a National Identification Number (NIN).
Additionally, the commission plans to review its service fees starting August 1, aiming to make its services more efficient and cost-effective.
News
AfDB to Introduce Systems Reforms to Prioritize Investing in Africa’s Youth

The African Development Bank, in partnership with the International Labour Organization, has launched a transformative system to mainstream youth employment, skills development, and entrepreneurship across its investments.
The approach, called the Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System, is aligned with the Bank’s latest Ten-Year Strategy, which places Africa’s young people at the center of development efforts to maximize the impact of every dollar invested, turning demographics into a dividend.
The Marker System ensures that Bank projects spanning diverse sectors, such as agriculture, transport, energy, water, and education, systematically incorporate components that enhance youth employability, foster entrepreneurship, and build market-relevant skills.
“The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is about ensuring Africa’s young people have a real say and active role in building sustainable economies and creating jobs – not as passive recipients of youth programs,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. “This transformation of Bank practices and systems is a step toward making sure our investments have a positive impact on Africa’s young women and men.”
The integrated system has three focus areas:
Youth: Supporting youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through targeted investments and operational integration.
Skills: Expanding access to practical, market-driven training and apprenticeships to enhance career prospects.
Jobs: Ensuring Bank-funded projects create sustainable job opportunities, particularly by developing youth skills for employability and the promotion of youth-led businesses in priority value chains.
Each year, around 10 to 12 million young Africans enter the labor market, which offers only three million formal jobs annually. The Bank will prioritize youth entrepreneurship and mobilize private sector partnerships to strengthen industry-oriented skills training as well as job creation over the coming decade.
“[This initiative] is very important because it allows us to significantly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #8 that includes decent work for all,” said Peter van Rooij, Director of Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation at the International Labour Organization. “It also allows the International Labour Organization to influence the Bank’s work, to support their lending that is more geared toward more job creation and better jobs in a sustainable way.”
The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is modeled on the success of the Bank’s Gender Marker System and its online dashboard, which categorize Bank projects based on their contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Similarly, the new system will feature an online platform enabling Bank staff and consultants to access real-time data for preparing country strategy papers, mid-term reviews, annual reports, project supervision, and reporting on youth-related skills, businesses and jobs outcomes.
The Bank has just launched a pilot version of the Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System in readiness for the full implementation in 2026. This system will enhance data tracking, improve estimates of youth skills attainment and employment, strengthen labor market information systems, and support policymakers in making evidence-based decisions that drive meaningful change.
The International Labour Organization provided technical support for the system’s development with financial support from the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is the first deliberate action of its kind developed by a development finance institution worldwide.
News
SEC Probes Ponzi Scheme Linked to FF Tiffany

The Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed plans to commence investigation into the activities of an entity operating under FF Tiffany, allegedly running a fraudulent investment scheme that has defrauded citizens.
A statement by the SEC on Tuesday in Abuja said preliminary information revealed that the scheme, which promised investors unusually high and unrealistic returns, had resulted in the loss of several billions of naira.
The SEC said it viewed the activity as a threat to investor confidence and the overall integrity of the financial system.
The commission assured the public that it was working closely with law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies to bring everyone involved in the unlawful operation to justice.
According to SEC, those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the Investment and Securities Act and regulatory provisions.
SEC reiterated its earlier warnings to the general public to desist from engaging in Ponzi or unregistered investment schemes that promised guaranteed or exaggerated returns.
“These schemes are not registered with the SEC and do not offer investor protection under the law.
“The commission is currently investigating 79 schemes and will make a statement on its findings at the conclusion of the investigation,” the SEC said.
The commission encouraged investors to conduct due diligence and verify the registration status of any investment firm or product by visiting the SEC website or contacting the commission directly through official channels.
SEC said it remained committed to its mandate of protecting investors, ensuring fair practices, and maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.
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