On the 30th November 2017, Lafarge Africa Plc, the makers of Elephant Cement presented a facts behind the figures Right Issue at the Nigeria Stock Exchange. Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michel Pucheros stated that a total of 131.65bn was raised from existing shareholders of the company in order to refinance a part of the company’s foreign currency denominated loan by way of a debt to equity conversion and also boost its profitability. In a statement the Group CEO said:
“Despite the challenging economic and regulatory operating environment, our company has continued to make significant progress on a number of fronts; thereby ensuring solid operating performance. I am pleased to inform you stockbrokers and other stakeholders that the results of the company’s transformation are already evident, as seen in first quarter, Q1, and second quarter,Q2, 2017 unaudited results of the company. We have returned to profitability and we hope that part of the proceeds from this Rights Issue will further boost our profitability in the future.” Fielding questions from stockbrokers on the dismal performance of the company over several successive quarters, he says,
“The harsh operating environment, lower sales due to recession faced in Nigeria and turbulent macro- economic conditions including the naira devaluation, amongst others, affected the our performance. However, the company has robust cash flow generating capability, as evidenced by operating cash flows of N57.8 billion and strong balance sheet at the end of the 2016 financial year. But, in half year 2017, we have grown Profit Before Tax, PBT to N18.160 billion, Profit After Tax, PAT to N34.803 billion from losses recorded in 2016.” Stating further that,
“The company’s performance shows that revenue grew at Compound Annual Growth Rate, CAGR, of 20 percent between 2012 and 2016 driven by improved operating activities, increased production capacity and operational consolidation. Revenue jump in 2013 was largely due to increased production in Ewekoro II cement plant; Earnings, Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization , EBITDA, declined to N29.1 billion in 2016 from N67.3 billion in 2015 in line with general market conditions.” Bola Adeeko, the Nigeria Stock Exchange Head of Corporate Services Division in a statement on the facts behind the figures says,
“Lafarge Africa’s N131.65 billion Rights Issue is the highest offer in the history of the Nigeria’s capital market in recent time and we encourage their shareholders to participate in the offer as the proceeds from the offer would reposition the company for greater height. We also encourage other companies to approach the market for funds to boost their businesses.” Buttressing the objectives of the Company as stated by the Group CEO of Lafarge, Bola Adeeko, stated further that,
“Lafarge’s Rights Issue will help the company to finance working capital and expand operations that will yield better results to shareholders in the form of dividend in the future.”