Moody’s unveils first Nigeria credit risk conference

The credit impact of lower oil prices, currency pressures and other key credit themes facing Nigeria will be explored at Moody’s Investors Service’s first Nigeria Credit Risk Conference in Lagos on 18 November.

Senior Moody’s analysts covering the Nigerian sovereign, corporate and banking sectors will provide forward-looking insight into lower commodity prices, the weakening macroeconomic environment and the volatility of the naira and how these factors are influencing the outlook for sovereign credit.

“We are excited to be hosting our first credit risk conference in Nigeria at an important time in the development of Africa’s biggest economy,” said David Aldrich, Moody’s Associate Managing Director Emerging Markets. “The theme of our event – Nigeria on the Verge, Oil, Opportunities and Outlook — reflects the changing political, economic and credit landscape in Nigeria.

“This event underlines Moody’s commitment to meeting the growing demands of market participants in Nigeria and across Africa and supporting the development of the continent’s capital markets.”

The half-day conference will combine presentations from Moody’s analysts with a lively panel discussion and networking opportunities. Delegates include executives from Nigerian financial institutions and corporates, as well as investors, credit analysts and treasury managers.

Olivier Beroud, Moody’s Managing Director — Regional Head EMEA, will open and close the event, while Sylvia Chahonyo, General Manager, Africa (Commercial), will chair the conference and act as moderator.

In the first presentation, Aurelien Mali, Moody’s Senior Analytical Adviser, Africa, will discuss “Sovereign Risk: The Changing Political and Credit Landscape”, with a focus on the themes that are shaping the Nigerian government bond rating.

Douglas Rowlings, a Moody’s analyst in the Corporate Finance Group, will assess the impact of “lower for longer” oil prices on the Nigerian corporate sector and review the latest developments in infrastructure, government reforms and multinationals’ investment plans.

Sean Marion, Managing Director and Akintunde Majekodunmi, Vice-President — Senior Analyst, both part of the Moody’s Financial Institutions Group, will look at how the weaker macroeconomic outlook is likely to affect the Nigerian banking sector.

Towards the end of the conference, the speakers will come together for a panel discussion and question and answer session focusing on the major issues facing Nigerian banks and companies.

Moody’s Lagos conference follows successful Africa-focused credit risk events earlier this year in Johannesburg, London and Nairobi.

Moody’s is a leading provider of credit ratings, research, and risk analysis in Africa and around the world. In Africa, Moody’s has expanded its team of analysts and currently rates 20 sovereigns, eight multilateral development banks, more than 30 financial institutions and around 30 corporates.