Obtala Limited (LON:OBT) has reported a step-change in its results for 2017, posting a big jump in revenue and a move to an attributable profit following the transformative WoodBois acquisition completed during the year.
For the year-ended 31 December 2017, the AIM-listed, Africa-focused agriculture and forestry company saw its revenue jump to US$8.4mln, up from US$0.6mln in 2016, and it notched up a profit attributable to shareholders of US$9.9mln versus a US$4.8mln loss in 2016.
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Obtala’s chairman Miles Pelham said: "An increase in year over year revenues of more than 13x, provides clear evidence that the Group is unrecognisable from its position just 18 months ago.”
He added: “The successful acquisition of WoodBois International has brought significant new skills and knowledge to the Group in the form of a world-class forestry trading and production leadership team, as well as a highly experienced logistics and support team.”
Pelham concluded: “I am excited for what 2018 will bring and fully expect further step changes in levels of revenue and profitability in the years to come.”
In late afternoon trading, Obtala shares jumped 8% higher to 10.4p.