Cement group LafargeHolcim will take part in a capital raise by Nigeria-based Lafarge Africa to avoid diluting its nearly 73% stake, it said on Wednesday.
Lafarge Africa said this week it wants to raise $460-million in fresh equity and convert some loans into shares as part of a planned rights issue after it reported losses last year.
A company spokesman in Switzerland said the parent’s stake was around 72.6%, adding “we do not expect to be diluted”.The process will be launched once shareholders have approved the transaction at the annual meeting in June and is expected to be finalised by October at the latest, he added.
The move aimed to reduce dollar-denominated debt exposure and simplify the ownership structure in Nigeria.
