Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) aims for an initial public offer (IPO) of its shares within 6 months followed by listing itself on the exchange. It has published a call for lead transaction advisor, sponsoring stockbroker and other experts to express interest by 21 July.
CEO Moremi Marwa told Reuters on 1 July that the aim is to improve governance and raise funds for expansion: “We expect to pick a lead transaction adviser probably within a month and the whole process of launching the IPO should take around six months to be completed.” The quantity of shares to be sold will be decided later. Funds would be used for upgrading trading infrastructure, among others.
The African bourse has 21 listed companies and total market capitalization of TZS 23.9 trillion ($10.9 billion) at 30th June. This includes 14 domestic listed companies with market cap of TZS 9.9trn. It also has listed bonds (corporate and government) worth TZS 4trn. There is potential for more listings for companies to raise capital through equity or bonds, according to Reuters which notes that lending rates at banks can be 18%-30%. In 2014 Tanzania scrapped controls on foreign ownership of shares in an effort to stoke demand on the bourse. Bloomberg notes that in 2014 the index gained 64%, making the exchange Africa’s best performer.
According to Marwa’s quarterly statement liquidity in the second quarter was up to TZS 285bn from TZS 278bn in the first quarter, representing 9% liquidity ratio on an annualized basis: “During Q3, 2015, we expect at least three listings: Mwalimu Commercial Bank, PTA Bank (for corporate bonds) and YETU Microfinance.” He added that priorities include introducing mobile and Internet trading on the platform; encouraging more listings; public education and awareness; integrating and synchronizing the DSE’s central securities depository (CSD) with that of Bank of Tanzania for government bonds trading.
Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange Ltd was incorporated in 1996 as a mutual company limited by guarantee. According to the website it has recently changed into a public company limited by shares and is renamed Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange Public Limited Company.
According to the DSE website: “The objective of these changes is to enhance DSE’s operational, financial and governance structures and capabilities so as it can efficiently execute its mandates in line with DSE strategic objective: i.e. to be the focal point for long-term capital raising by private enterprises and public sector within the economy via provision of efficiency infrastructure, systems and listing platform for multi-financial products.
“The invitation is for Expression of Interest (EOI) by eligible firms to provide the following consultancy services:
1. Lead transaction advisor
2. Co-sponsoring stockbrokers
3. Legal advisor
4. Reporting accountant
5. Public relations firm
6. Lead receiving/collecting bank.
The Nairobi Securities Exchange has successfully sold 38% shares in a $7.1m IPO which was oversubscribed many times in August 2014, and it self-listed soon afterwards. South Africa’s JSE Ltd did the same in 2006.
