Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP) has successfully completed a landmark Private Equity Placement that raised approximately US$2.5 billion in new equity, in what is believed to be Africa’s largest publicly disclosed primary equity private placement.
The transaction “marks a significant milestone in the history of the company and demonstrates strong investor confidence in the refinery’s long-term growth strategy and operational excellence,” the company said in a press statement released Thursday.
The capital raise is the first equity funding round involving external investors beyond the company’s legacy shareholder base, “underscoring the growing attractiveness of DPRP as a world-class energy and industrial enterprise.”
According to the statement, the proceeds will be deployed “to support the continued expansion of the refinery and petrochemical complex, strengthen the company’s capital structure, and enhance financial flexibility to pursue future growth opportunities.”
The offering attracted broad participation from “international and African institutional investors, sovereign-related investment vehicles, development finance institutions, strategic partners, and individual investors.”
Notable participants included the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and India Infra Buildco, an investment vehicle facilitated by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
Commenting on the successful transaction, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited and Chairman of DPRP, Aliko Dangote, described the placement as a strategic milestone.
“This transaction represents a strategic step to deepen and further institutionalise the enterprise’s shareholder base, while raising capital to complement our internal cash flows and external funding as DPRP advances its expansion agenda,” Mr Dangote said.
“It also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to developing Africa’s refining and petrochemical capacity, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthening the continent’s energy security.”
Also speaking, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, David Bird, said the investor response validates the company’s performance.
“The exceptional demand we witnessed is a testament to our operational excellence, execution capability and the confidence investors have in DPRP’s leadership and future potential,” Mr Bird stated.
With the successful completion of the placement, DPRP said it is “well-positioned to accelerate its long-term growth strategy while strengthening Africa’s energy security through world-scale refining and petrochemical capacity.”
“The strong investor response further reinforces confidence in the company’s vision and its ability to deliver sustainable value over the long term,” the statement added.
The company also acknowledged the contributions of its professional advisers and partners “whose expertise and support were instrumental in delivering the successful transaction.”