Nigeria’s financial reforms draw international investors, signal shift to long-term capital

2026-03-18 - 15:43

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Nigeria’s ongoing financial sector reforms have captured the attention of international investors, who are now looking to bring long-term investment capital into the country’s economy. The development was highlighted at the Africa Capital Forum in London, held on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom. Hosted jointly by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the forum was themed “From Stabilisation to Capital Mobilisation.” The forum assessed the impact of recent reforms and explored new opportunities for diaspora investment and sustainable, long-term capital mobilisation. It convened global investors, development financiers, and fintech innovators to discuss strategies for deepening Nigeria’s financial resilience and strengthening investor confidence. The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said the UK remained a key partner in Nigeria’s banking and capital markets. He emphasized that the next phase of reforms should focus on converting renewed investor interest into long-term, sustainable investments. Madame Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), noted Nigeria’s economic potential, citing population growth, adoption of new technologies, and increased investor appetite as strong indicators for future investment. Melis Ekmen Tabojer, Managing Director (Policy Strategy and Delivery) of the EBRD, added that Nigeria’s reforms have significantly influenced investor confidence and policy development. Mrs. Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, representing Minister of Finance Mr. Wale Edun, stressed that the government cannot fund growth alone and called for partners to bring “sticky equity capital” to support sustainable economic expansion. Key forum sessions, led by CBN Deputy Governors Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi (Economic Policy) and Mr. Philip Ikeazor (Financial System Stability), examined repricing risk, the reopening of capital markets, Nigerian banks’ global presence, fintech, and the future of remittances. Dr. Abdullahi highlighted that foreign reserves now exceed $50 billion, the FX market is stabilised, and inflation is falling, while Mr. Ikeazor emphasised the reforms’ long-term continuity across administrations. Banking executives, including Segun Alebiosu (First Bank), Oliver Alawuba (UBA), Miriam Olusanya (GTCO), Yemisi Edun (FCMB), Roosevelt Ogbonna (Access Bank), and Akin Oguranti (Zenith Bank), praised the reforms for boosting confidence in the economy and enabling banks to fund more local projects. The forum signals a growing shift from short-term stabilisation efforts to long-term capital mobilisation, positioning Nigeria as an increasingly attractive destination for global investors.