Barclays PLC reduces its African stake by 22% more

Barclays PLC has begun processes to reduce its stake by an additional 22 percent.

This is expected to culminate in reducing the bank’s stake in its Africa operations to below fifty percent.

The plan also follows a sell-down transaction which commenced on Wednesday, May 31st, 2017.

A statement from Barclays and copied to Citi Business News said, “The sell-down transaction announced today is in the form of an accelerated bookbuild, which has been activated, and is expected to be concluded overnight.”

It added, “The conclusion of the sale, which is expected to be announced tomorrow (Thursday, 1 June 2017), will see Barclays PLC’s shareholding reducing to below 50%.”

Meanwhile Barclays has announced its intention to sell 187 million ordinary shares in Barclays Africa Group.

This represents approximately 22% of Barclays Africa’s issued share capital.

The move also follows receipt of the required regulatory approvals, including approval from the South African Minister of Finance, for Barclays PLC to reduce its shareholding in Barclays Africa to below 50%.

Barclays PLC announced on March 1st, 2016 that it intended, over a two to three year period, to reduce its shareholding in Barclays Africa.

On 5th May 2016, Barclays PLC sold 103.6 million shares in Barclays Africa, reducing its shareholding to 50.1%.

Speaking on the development so far, Barclays Africa CEO Maria Ramos said, “This transaction marks the next phase of Barclays Africa’s evolution as a standalone pan-African financial services group, committed to Africa.”

By: Citibusinessnews.com/Ghana