RMB Nigeria has won the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria’s M&A Deal of the Year 2025 award for its advisory role in the $583 million acquisition of energy infrastructure company Axxela Limited.
The transaction transferred full ownership of Axxela to BlueCore Gas InfraCo Limited after its previous investors, Helios Investment Partners and Sojitz Corporation, exited their respective stakes.
Helios sold its 75% interest in Axxela, while Sojitz disposed of its remaining 25% stake through the exercise of its tag-along rights, according to information shared by RMB Nigeria.
Brandspur Brand News reports that RMB Nigeria acted as the exclusive financial adviser to Helios throughout the transaction, which represents a significant private equity exit in Nigeria’s midstream energy sector.
The award recognises the bank’s role in facilitating a deal involving the transfer of ownership of an energy infrastructure business operating in West Africa.
Commenting on the recognition, RMB Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ajayi, said transactions of this scale demonstrate the importance of financial advice, market knowledge and disciplined execution in completing complex deals.
Chidi Iwuchukwu, Executive Director and Head of Investment Banking for Broader Africa at RMB Nigeria, said the transaction required an understanding of the interests of the parties involved and the strategic considerations underpinning the acquisition.
RMB Nigeria provides financial advisory, funding and investment banking services to corporate and institutional clients across Africa.
The acquisition places Axxela under the full ownership of BlueCore Gas InfraCo Limited, although further details about BlueCore’s plans for the company following the transaction were not provided in the announcement.
