16 March 2021
Last update on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 At 5:33 PM
After the last issue of its $ 3 billion Eurobond nearly five times oversubscribed in 2020, Ghana is set to return to the capital market. The aim is to finance the budget deficit, when public finances are already under increasing debt.
The Ghanaian state is about to make another exit on the international capital market. This is what the Ministry of Finance announced in a note published on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
In total, the authorities expect to raise $ 5 billion. The objective is to finance the 2021 budget, whose deficit is expected this year at 8.3% of GDP. Before the operation itself, the government will start a roadshow next week, to convince investors.
According to information relayed by Bloomberg, this will be done virtually due to restrictions related to the coronavirus. In recent years, Ghana has placed great demands on the international debt market to finance its development programs.
While the issuance of these Eurobonds has raised concerns about the increase in public debt, investors have always shown a particular appetite for Ghanaian bonds.
By 2020, the country had issued Eurobonds totaling $ 3 billion, nearly five times oversubscribed to $ 14 billion. According to the government, the new operation will be led by Bank of America, Citigroup Inc, Rand Merchant Bank Ltd, Standard Chartered Plc and Standard Bank Group.
Accra-based CalBank Plc, Fidelity Bank Ltd, IC Securities Ltd, Databank Group and Temple Investments Ltd will be present as co-arrangers, a source familiar with the matter said.
“One of the main mandates of the banks is to advise the government on the various alternative financing structures and options, in particular for the Eurobond, which would best meet Ghana’s financing needs and provide the necessary fiscal capacity for further support revitalization and economic recovery at this time, ”says the Ministry of Finance.
Source Ecofin Agency
