Niger: bonds, indices, credit ratings

Niger is a member of the eight-country regional group, the Union Economique et Monetaire OuestAfricaine (UEMOA). The groups currency system is managed by the Banque Centrale des Etats de lAfrique de lOuest (BCEAO). The XOF currency is currently pegged to the euro at a rate of XOF655.96 = EUR1 (effective 1 January 1999). Niger is the second lowest issuer in the UEMOA region, with XOF80 trn (4% of total UEMOA issuance) scheduled for 2013. All securities issued or due to be issued in 2013 are 91- and 182-day T-bills. Across UEMOA, T-bills are issued with following tenors through the BCEAO: 28-, 91-, 182-, 364- and 728- days. Bonds are issued with 3 yrs and above tenor (mainly 5- and 7-yrs). Bonds are issued either on the regional stock exchange, the BRVM, or on the money market, via the BCEAO.