Senegal extends deadline for $719 million regional bond offering

DAKAR, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Senegal has extended the subscription period for a regional public bond offering targeting residents, private investors and the diaspora worth 400 billion CFA francs ($719.10 million), arranger Invictus Capital said on Tuesday, without providing a reason for the delay.

The offering was launched on December 2 and was supposed to end on December 22. However, investment management firm Invictus Capital, mandated to arrange the bond issue, said in a post on LinkedIn that the offering was prolonged until December 26.

Invictus Capital and Senegal's finance ministry did not immediately reply to requests for comments.

Investors are closely watching regional debt auctions, which are Senegal's key source of capital since the IMF last year froze its $1.8 billion lending programme, and talks over a new loan continue. Earlier this month, its international bond prices slid after a regional debt auction drew weak demand despite higher interest rates.

According to an official document presenting the issuance, it aims to strengthen the West African country's economic sovereignty and support strategic projects.

Since the beginning of 2025, Senegal has raised 1.2 trillion CFA francs ($2.16 billion) through three similar so-called "APE" offerings, the document said.

($1 = 556.2500 CFA francs)