MTN Nigeria Becomes First Network Operator to Recieve GCR's Highest Credit Rating

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. has become the first African network to receive the highest credit ratings by the Global Credit Ratings.

The Global Credit Rating (GCR) has upgraded the national scale long-term issuer rating of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc to AAA.

This is contained in a notice posted on the website of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Ltd., signed by Uto Ukpana, the Company Secretary of MTN on Wednesday in Lagos.

The notice also said that GCR confirmed the MTN’s National scale short-term rating of A1+ with a stable outlook, which is considered the highest possible long-term and short-term ratings on GCR’s national rating scale.

MTN Nigeria is the first to receive such ratings in Africa as a mobile network provider. Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria while reacting to the ratings, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the GCR rating.

“This demonstrated the resilience of our business and positions MTN Nigeria as the benchmark of reference for the information and communication technology sector for long-dated, fixed-term instruments.

“As we continue to work in our network and strengthen our risk management processes, we remain focused on sustaining and accelerating growth in line with our Ambition 2035 Strategy.”

Toriola also said that the GCR upgraded the national scale long-term rating of the recently concluded N110 billion Series 1 Senior Unsecured Bond to AAA with a stable outlook.

Also, GCR said: “The ratings accorded to MTN Nigeria reflects its very strong competitive position as the leading provider of telecommunications services in Nigeria, as well as its strong earnings and cash flow which has supported a robust financial profile”.