Nigeria’s equities market could experience heightened volatility in the second half of 2026 as investors prepare for the anticipated Dangote Refinery listing while political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The News Chronicle reports that market analysts expect both developments to influence trading patterns, investment decisions and overall market sentiment in the coming months.
Experts believe the expected public listing of Dangote Refinery may prompt many investors to rebalance their portfolios by selling existing shares to raise funds, creating short term pressure across the stock market. However, they also expect confidence to improve after the listing, supported by stronger corporate earnings and interim dividend announcements from listed companies.
Analysts further noted that increasing political activity could encourage some foreign investors to adopt a cautious approach, while local political fundraising may also affect market liquidity. Despite these concerns, they remain optimistic that the market could stage a recovery in the third quarter as attractive stock valuations and improved company results encourage fresh buying.
If the Dangote Refinery listing proceeds as expected, analysts believe it could deepen Nigeria’s capital market, attract new investment and lay the foundation for a stronger market rally after the current period of correction.
