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TSTT secures multi-million dollar refinancing funding

3 min read

(File Photo)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Nov 6, CMC – The  Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT) Friday said it has successfully completed its refinancing transaction,  raising approximately US$481 million in long-term secured financing. 

The state-owned telecommunication company had sought the funding from October 27 this year, across both the international United States and domestic capital markets,

Citi and Scotiabank acted as joint bookrunners for the United States notes and lead managers for the domestic notes, with ACERO Capital serving as financial adviser to TSTT.

The transaction comprised US$305 million of Senior Secured Notes due 2036 and TT$1.192 billion (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents), equivalent to approximately US$176 million, of Senior Secured Notes due 2036.

TSTT said that proceeds were used primarily to redeem in full TSTT’s outstanding US and TT dollar -denominated Senior Secured Notes due 2029, addressing the company’s capital markets maturities and prudently extending its debt profile.

It said that the successful outcome is particularly notable given the globally challenging and still selective international capital market backdrop.

TSTT is the first Trinidad and Tobago corporate issuer to access the US International Capital Markets in 15 months, and the ability to raise nearly US$500 million equivalent across international and domestic markets represents a significant financing achievement for TSTT and its stakeholders.

 “The confidence shown by investors is an endorsement of TSTT’s progress and long-term strategic direction. The Board remains committed to responsible stewardship and to maintaining the financial discipline needed to sustain a profitable, resilient company that contributes to Trinidad and Tobago’s development,”  said TSTT’s chairman, Kern Dass.

The company said that the offering followed an intensive four-day global roadshow, during which management met with more than 70 leading emerging arkets investors across the United States, Europe and Latin America.

It said that the international offering attracted participation from more than 40 accounts in the final US dollar orderbook, reflecting strong global institutional interest following the roadshow. “In parallel, TSTT undertook a month-long pre-marketing exercise for the TT$ tranche, which culminated in participation from more than 45 investors in the final domestic orderbook, demonstrating broad support from local investors.

“Importantly, the transaction achieved meaningful interest spread compression of 190 basis points in US dollars and 150 basis points in TT dollars, relative to the relevant sovereign benchmarks versus TSTT’s 2019 inaugural issuance, across both the US and TT-denominated tranches.

TSTT said that the outcome underscores the progress it has made over the intervening period, supported by operational improvements, a strengthened financial profile and an improved credit standing, as evidenced by Stands and Poor’s upgrade to BB- from B+ in 2023.

 “This successful refinancing reflects the work our team has done to strengthen TSTT’s financial and operational performance. Extending our debt repayment profile gives us greater financial flexibility to meet our obligations and plan continued investment in our networks and infrastructure,”  said TSTT acting chief executive officer, Reza Hosein.

“Our focus remains on sustaining profitability and delivering the connectivity that people and businesses across Trinidad and Tobago depend on.”

The company said that overall, the successful dual-currency execution, broad investor participation, meaningful spread compression and substantial extension of TSTT’s maturity profile represent a strong outcome for the company, demonstrating its ability to attract substantial long-term financing across international and domestic capital markets.

Head of LatAm Debt Capital Markets, Citi, Adrian Guzzoni,  said,despite a volatile market backdrop, the transaction attracted support from both international and domestic investors. “We are pleased to have supported TSTT in achieving its refinancing objectives and extending its debt maturity profile.”

Scotiabank’s Dennis Eisele, managing director & Head, LatAm Fixed Income Origination added, “Scotiabank is proud to have supported TSTT in the successful execution of this landmark refinancing.

“The transaction demonstrates strong investor confidence in TSTT and highlights the Company’s ability to access both international and domestic capital markets. We were honoured to bring Scotiabank’s global capital markets capabilities and local expertise to the transaction, supporting TSTT in achieving its long-term financing objective”.

CMC/jk/ir/2026