S&P Global Buys Majority Stake in Agusto & Co. to Boost Africa Ratings
S&P Global announced Tuesday (July 28, 2026) it has acquired a majority stake in Agusto & Co., a leading Pan-African credit rating agency with strong operations in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana. The financial terms weren't disclosed, but S&P says the deal supports its ratings division's growth strategy in Africa by combining global expertise with Agusto's deep local market knowledge.
Yann Le Pallec, S&P Global Ratings President, said the partnership aims to expand market insights, strengthen credit transparency and boost investor confidence across Africa. Yinka Adelekan, Agusto's Managing Director, called it a 'transformational milestone' fulfilling their founder's vision of affiliating with a global ratings leader.
Crucially, Agusto & Co. will remain a separate entity issuing its own credit ratings under existing regulatory frameworks. The deal requires standard regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026, with S&P stating it won't materially impact its financial results.
For Nigerian investors and businesses, this could mean more robust credit rating coverage for local companies and financial institutions, potentially improving access to capital. Watch for regulatory clearance updates through late 2026 as the deal progresses toward completion.