Regulatory Alerts2023-01-01
Limit on Participation of Non-Resident Investors in the Primary Market for Government Securities
The Bank of Zambia has imposed an immediate limit capping non-resident participation in primary government securities issuances at five percent of total annual planned issuances, calculated on cost rather than face value. Custodians and commercial banks must now route all non-resident auction bids directly to the central bank by 10:00 hours on the day of each auction for limit application. This measure preserves existing secondary market trading practices while ensuring overall debt sustainability through direct central bank oversight of primary issuance quotas.
[Logo: Bank of Zambia]
Bank of Zambia OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR - OPERATIONS
BOZ/EXEC/DGO/fmkts/bp
June 21, 2023
CB Circular No. : 14/2023
To : All Heads of Commercial Banks
LIMIT ON PARTICIPATION OF NON-RESIDENT INVESTORS IN THE PRIMARY MARKET FOR GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
Reference is made to the above subject.
As part of the overall debt sustainability efforts, the Bank of Zambia wishes to announce that, with immediate effect and until further notice, primary issuances of Government securities to non-resident participants as a group shall be limited to no more than five (5) percent of the planned total annual issuances. This limit will be applied on the cost and not face value.
Please note that this measure will not affect secondary market trading. It means that secondary market trading of Government securities by non-residents will continue as per the current practice.
In view of this measure, all custodians and commercial banks are hereby directed to submit, as received, all bids on behalf of non-resident investors directly to the Bank of Zambia. The Bank will then apply the limit taking account of the performance of the previous and current auctions.
The bids shall be submitted by 10:00 hours on the day of the auction.
Custodians and commercial banks are advised to bring the above information to the attention of their respective clients.
Please contact the Government Securities Unit on telephone number, +211399399 or email, government.securities@boz.zm, for any clarifications.
[Signature] Francis Chipimo (PhD) DEPUTY GOVERNOR – OPERATIONS
cc Governor
Bank Square, Cairo Road, P.O. Box 30080, Lusaka, Zambia Tel:+260-211-399303, 399300, E-mail: dgo@boz.zm. Web: http://www.boz.zm