Nigeria’s capital market is shedding old skins and tightening its muscles, positioning itself as a disciplined entry point into Africa’s investment terrain, according to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Mr. Temi Popoola.
Speaking at a recent Pan-African Investment Lounge hosted by Radiant Collective Capital (RCC), Popoola said the market’s new posture is being powered by hard economic reforms, digital innovation and a widening investor base.
Popoola explained that reforms underway were no longer abstract policies but were already translating into real investment openings, especially for women and Nigerians abroad.
Looking back at Nigeria’s 2025 economic recalibration, he said the painful adjustments — coupled with better price discovery — had set the stage for steadier growth in 2026.
He cited the NGX All-Share Index’s 51.19 per cent rise in 2025, stressing that the surge was fuelled by stronger corporate earnings, reliable dividend payouts and structural reforms, not market gambling.
“Capital is becoming increasingly selective globally. What we are seeing in Nigeria is a market that has embraced reforms, strengthened transparency, and invested in resilient infrastructure.
The focus is on building an investable platform that supports long-term economic growth,” he said.
Popoola also underscored the growing influence of inclusive participation, noting a steady rise in women among new retail investors.
According to him, wider participation strengthens market stability through patience, disciplined accumulation and more calculated risk-taking.
He referenced a recent telecommunications public offer where women made up 76 per cent of over 110,000 new investor accounts.
“Women don’t just participate in markets; they help stabilise them,” he said.
He added that technology, sustainability and partnerships would increasingly drive market expansion.
Digital tools such as NGX Invest, he said, are widening access and improving transparency in the primary market, while ESG-focused initiatives like the NGX Net-Zero project are strengthening long-term resilience and risk control.
Popoola noted that sustained collaboration with regulators and key stakeholders remains critical to keeping investor confidence intact.
The session, he said, opened the door to deeper partnerships between NGX Group and women-led investment networks across Africa.
Looking ahead, Popoola disclosed that NGX Group plans to scale up targeted investor education programmes in 2026, with emphasis on digital market access, sector-specific opportunities and structured channels for diaspora investment.
