Ten years of growth for PrimeTime
Business
PrimeTime releases 2017 financial results and a pipeline full of projects
PrimeTime has recently announced its 2017 financial results which show its exponential growth over the past 10 years since the company listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange in December 2007. Over the past decade, PrimeTime has grown from an initial portfolio of 13 properties valued at P175 million to 25 properties valued at P1.12 billion with total assets of over P1.3 billion. PrimeTime Managing Director Sandy Kelly reflects on these achievements and outlines plans for the future.
“Successful implementation of our geographical diversification strategy and strategic acquisitions led to total group assets increasing by 30% to P1.3 billion at the year end. The share price has grown from P1.25 to P3.16 over the 10 years of our existence. Shareholders have received a sound investment with a rate of between 5-10% annual distribution since we listed on the BSE. Consistent with these good results and the addition of a further 64 760 484 linked units, we are pleased to report that a total distribution of 15.92 thebe per linked unit was achieved for the year, maintaining last year’s level while having laid the foundations for growth into the future. This proves the value of investing in quality stock like PrimeTime,” says PrimeTime Managing Director Sandy Kelly.
PrimeTime has achieved year-on-year increases in both revenues and operating profits before fair value adjustments. Lease revenue grew by 27% to P110 million, completed investment property by 34% to stand at P1.12 billion, and the price per linked unit ended the year at P3.16. “PrimeTime is well positioned to pursue suitable investments. We are not stopping here –whilst good investments are few, due to our positioning, there are projects and properties out there.
The reason for our consistent performance is because of the quality and diversification of our properties. No single property accounts for more than 15% of our portfolio. While our intention is growth, we will not compromise quality for the sake of growth. This ensures we are able to create long-term wealth for our shareholders while growing and diversifying our asset base. We will continue to unearth new opportunities wherever they may be,” says
Kelly.
PrimeTime has identified Zambia as an additional investment opportunity because it has a robust, diversified economy with a strong democracy and democratic principles that work, according to Kelly. PrimeTime’s acquisition of its largest asset by value, Centro Kabulonga in Lusaka, represents its entry in to the Zambian retail market. Kabulonga has secured Pick n Pay, Woolworths and Mr Price as anchor tenants and there is already a waiting list for space from major regional and national brands.
This acquisition has resulted in the Zambian operations contributing over 20% of the group’s annual rental income. This brings PrimeTime’s portfolio in Zambia to $30 million, representing 27% of the group’s portfolio at the year end. Two other retail centres, Munali Mall and Chirundu Mall, are under construction and will add a further $20 million in value to the portfolio in Zambia, taking the total country investment to over $50 million.
In Botswana, PrimeTime has started construction on The Design Quarter in Setlhoa which is a retail concept for the home décor and design sector. Two smaller extensions to existing centres are also underway with an extension at Sebele Centre and a fast food drive-through at Pilane Crossing where KFC will be opening in early 2018.
“After tenanting difficulties due to trading licence setbacks, Pilane Crossing is now on track to become the successful retail centre we originally envisaged. The new Design Quarter is a first for Botswana which will benefit both shoppers and retailers in terms of having one centralised home décor and lifestyle shopping destination. In terms of major refurbishments, our plans for some additional space and improvements at the Ramotswa Mall are still on the table, as are some other extensions.
“We have made good progress against our strategic objectives and see a number of future growth opportunities. Our diversified business model and risk diversification strategy place us in a strong financial position and our willingness to invest in the business means we are well placed to take advantage of these opportunities, despite the challenges faced by the industry,” says Kelly.
Trading highlights for the year ended 31 August 2017:
Total group assets increased by 30% to P1.3 billion at the year end.
Close to P300 million in new additions specifically Centro Kabulonga and Pilane Crossing
P201 million in equity capital raised from rights issue
Opening of the Pilane Crossing retail centre in September 2016
Acquisition of the group’s largest asset by value Centro Kabulonga in Lusaka for US$17.3m in January 2017
27% increase in contractual lease revenue and 17% increase in operating profits before fair value adjustments.
4% increase in per linked unit (PLU) standing at P3.16 plu up from P3.05 in 2016.
Business
Stargems Group establishes Training Center in BW
Internationally-acclaimed diamond manufacturing company StarGems Group has established the Stargems Diamond Training Center which will be providing specialized training in diamond manufacturing and evaluation.
The Stargems Diamond Training Institute is located at the Stargems Group Botswana Unit in Gaborone.
“In accordance with the National Human Resource Development Strategy (NHRDS) which holds the principle that through education and skills development as well as the strategic alignment between national ambitions and individual capabilities, Botswana will become a prosperous, productive and innovative nation due to the quality and efficacy of its citizenry. The Training Centre will provide a range of modules in theory and in practice; from rough diamond evaluation to diamond grading and polishing for Batswana, at no cost for eight weeks. The internationally- recognized certificate offered in partnership with Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Training School presents invaluable opportunities for Batswana to access in the diamond industry locally and internationally. The initiative is an extension of our Corporate Social Investment to the community in which we operate,” said Vishal Shah, Stargems Group Managing Director, during the launch of the Stargems Diamond Training Center.
In order to participate in this rare opportunity, interested candidates are invited to submit a police clearance certificate and a BGCSE certificate only to the Stargems offices. Students who excel in these programs will have the chance to be onboarded by the Stargems Group. This serves as motivation for them to go through this training with a high level of seriousness.
“Community empowerment is one of our CSR principles. We believe that businesses can only thrive when their communities are well taken of. We are hoping that our presence will be impactful to various communities and economies. In the six countries that we are operating in, we have contributed through dedicating 10% of our revenues during COVID-19 to facilitate education, donating to hospitals and also to NGOs committed to supporting women and children living with HIV. One key issue that we are targeting in Botswana is the rate of unemployment amongst the youth. We are looking forward to working closely with the government and other relevant authorities to curb unemployment,” said Shah.
Currently, Stargems Group has employed 117 Batswana and they are looking forward to growing the numbers to 500 as the company grows. Majority of the employees will be graduates from the Stargems Diamond Training Center. This initiation has been received with open arms by the general public and stakeholders. During the launch, the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Honorable Lefoko Moagi, stated that the ministry fully endorses Stargems Diamond Training and will work closely with the Group to support and grow the initiative.
“As a ministry, we see this as an game changer that is aligned with one of the United Nations’ Six Priority Sustainable Development Goals, which is to Advance Opportunity and Impact for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). What Stargems Group is launching today will have a huge impact on the creation of employment in Botswana. An economy’s productivity rises as the number of educated workers increases as its skilled workmanship increases. It is not a secret that low skills perpetuate poverty and widen the inequality gap, therefore the development of skills has the potential to contribute significantly to structural transformation and economic growth by enhancing employability and helping the country become more competitive. We are grateful to see the emergence of industry players such as Stargems Group who have strived to create such opportunities that mitigate the negative effects of COVID-19 on the economy,” said the Minister of Minerals and Energy.
Business
Food import bill slightly declines
The latest figures released by Statistics Botswana this week shows that food import bill for Botswana slightly declined from around P1.1 billion in November 2022 to around P981 million in December during the same year.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!
Business
Moody’s Reaffirms African Trade Insurance’s A3 Rating & Revises Outlook to Positive
Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) has affirmed the A3 insurance financial strength rating (IFSR) of the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) for the fifth consecutive year and changed the outlook from stable to positive.
Moody’s noted that the change in outlook to positive reflects the strong growth in ATI’s membership base – that has resulted in improved portfolio diversification, strengthened capital adequacy, and the good profitability despite the challenging operating environment. In addition, ATI benefits from its preferred creditor status (PCS) amongst sovereign member states which protects it from the risk of default by member sovereigns through securing recoveries against claims paid on guarantees.
The strong membership and equity growth are some of the key considerations for the consistent reinstatement of ATI’s A/Stable rating by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s rating, over the years. Also supporting the rating affirmation are; consistent improvement in financial performance, commitment of its shareholders who continue to uphold the preferred creditor status, its high quality and conservative investment portfolio as well as strong relationships with a number of global reinsurers that provide significant risk-bearing capacity.
With the change in outlook to “positive”, ATI is now better placed to provide enhanced support to its member countries, attract additional shareholding and grow its portfolio. The positive outlook is an indication that if ATI continues to demonstrate its strong underwriting performance and ability to recover claims under the preferred creditor arrangements, among other factors, an upward pressure towards an upgrade may be generated. The Moody’s press release can be accessed from here
Commenting on the rating, Africa Trade Insurance Chief Executive Officer Manuel Moses said: “This positive revision is in line with our 2023 – 2027 strategic objectives in which we set to improve our rating outlook to positive in the first year, and achieve an upgrade of at least “AA”/Stable rating by both Moody’s and S&P within this Strategic Plan period. We aim to achieve this by doubling our exposures and increasing our capital to more than USD1 billion.”
ATI’s mandate is to provide trade-credit and political risk insurance, as well as other risk mitigation products to its member countries and related public and private sector actors. These insurance products not only directly encourage and facilitate foreign direct investment as well as local private sector investment in our member countries, but also contribute to intra- and extra-African trade.
About The African Trade Insurance Agency
ATI was founded in 2001 by African States to cover trade and investment risks of companies doing business in Africa. ATI predominantly provides Political Risk, Credit Insurance and, Surety Insurance. Since inception, ATI has supported US$78 billion worth of investments and trade into Africa. For over a decade, ATI has maintained an ‘A/Stable’ rating for Financial Strength and Counterparty Credit by Standard & Poor’s, and in 2019, ATI obtained an A3/Stable rating from Moody’s, which has now been revised to A3/Positive.