In keeping with its commitment to develop the Nigerian debt markets, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange” or the “Exchange”) continues to sustain its efforts in supporting issuers with tailored financing options to enable them achieve their strategic objectives and effectively position the Nigerian debt markets for growth. It is in this regard that FMDQ Exchange, through its Board Listings and Markets Committee, approved the registration of HillCrest Agro Nigeria Limited ₦5.00 billion Commercial Paper (CP) Programme on its platform. The registration of this CP Programme reinforces the confidence demonstrated by issuers in FMDQ Exchange’s platform, and the Nigerian debt markets as a viable marketplace to raise funds to meet funding requirements of various companies.

HillCrest Agro Nigeria Limited (the “Company”) is an agro-processor that owns and operates a state of the-art rice processing mill located in Kwara State, Nigeria, producing up to two thousand (2,000) (50 kg) bags per day. The Company is currently one of the largest producers of rice in Nigeria following the recent increase in its milling capacity to 187,200 metric tonnes per annum. The CP Programme, which is sponsored by Comercio Partners Limited – a Registration Member (Quotations) of FMDQ Exchange, will avail the Issuer the opportunity to raise short-term finance from the Nigerian debt markets through CP issuances within the Programme limit.

In support of its mandate to deepen the Nigerian financial markets, the Exchange will continue to fulfil its market development mandate, by providing an efficient time-to-market and unique registration/listing/quotation services primed to ensure visibility for issuers.

FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (“FMI”) group, strategically positioned to provide registration, listing, quotation and noting services; integrated trading, clearing & central counterparty, settlement, and risk management for financial market transactions; depository of securities, as well as data and information services, across the debt capital, foreign exchange, derivatives and equity markets, through its wholly owned subsidiaries – FMDQ Exchange, FMDQ Clear Limited, FMDQ Depository Limited and FMDQ Private Markets Limited. As a sustainability-focused FMI group, FMDQ Group, through FMDQ Exchange, operates Africa’s premier Green Exchange – FMDQ Green Exchange – positioned to lead the transition towards a sustainable future.