Real People’s over Sh1 billion starts trading on Nairobi Securities Exchange

NAIROBI, KENYA:  Real People’s Sh1.63 billion bond started trading at the Nairobi bourse on Wednesday with the proceeds expected to further boost the company’s lending capacity. 

The medium term note that was launched in early August 2015 targeting retail, high net worth individuals and institutional investors saw investors take up Sh1,363,900,000 in 5 year Fixed Rate Notes and Sh270,300,000 in 3 year Fixed Rate Notes. 

The first tranche under the Sh5 billion programme was offered in 3 year and 5 year Fixed Rate Note as per the Information Memorandum approved by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). 

“This is a significant milestone as a financial institution. We are happy to be the first credit only financial institution to have successfully gone through the entire bond process and have the Notes listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange,” noted Daniel Ohonde, Chief Executive Officer, Real People East Africa.  

He added: “At this stage, we continue to grow and play a big role in the financial sector. We wish to thank CMA, Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and our transactional advisors – NIC Capital for their support throughout the process.” 

Speaking at the Ceremony, NSE Chief Executive Mr. Geoffrey Odundo congratulated Real People saying that “The high uptake of the Real People Bond from local investors is testament of Kenyans’ confidence in the Real People growth strategy and a clear indication of Kenyan companies great confidence in the fund raising opportunities that our Capital Markets have to offer. We at the Exchange applaud Real People Kenya Limited on the successful listing of their Bond.” 

Mr. Odundo further elaborated that listing on the bourse enables an institution to improve their liquidity, unlock their value, enhance their company profile, raise their governance standards while maximizing value for their shareholders. He urged corporates to look no further than the Exchange, as they seek to raise capital to fund their various initiatives.  

The bond process was led by NIC Capital as the transaction advisors, PKF, the reporting accountants, Coulson Harney, as the legal advisors, NIC Bank as the registrar and the receiving bank.