A move to bolster Nigeria’s capital market and attract more foreign direct investments, the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties with China. This development took center stage during the recent China-Africa CEO Dialogue held in Changsha, China, on the sidelines of the 4th China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo.
The high-level dialogue, jointly organized by Choice International Group and NGX Group, emphasized capital market diplomacy as a pathway to deepen economic collaboration between Nigeria and China.
Speaking at the event, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, highlighted the pivotal role of capital markets in unlocking new avenues for trade, technology transfer, and industrial growth.
“Deepening capital market partnerships is key to unlocking new investment corridors between Nigeria and China,” Popoola said. “We are engaging strategic institutions like the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges to develop frameworks that enable Chinese firms to raise capital locally through instruments like bonds, equities, and commercial papers. This will also reduce currency and operational risks.”
Popoola noted that Nigeria’s fast-growing sectors—manufacturing, ICT, real estate, and the automotive industry—stand to benefit significantly from such collaborations. By bridging the capital access gap, Nigeria could position itself as a hub for cross-border investments within Africa under the administration’s economic diversification agenda.
Director-General of the SEC, Emomotimi Agama, assured stakeholders of Nigeria’s readiness to offer a transparent and stable regulatory environment, critical to boosting investor confidence.
“Our mandate is not just about frameworks but also investor protection. Any investor coming to Nigeria must be assured that justice and fair play will be upheld,” Agama emphasized. “We are building a regulatory environment grounded in transparency and credibility. Though investment carries risk, our duty is to mitigate it effectively.”
Agama also noted that the SEC is actively encouraging state-owned enterprises and public agencies to list on the NGX, thereby expanding market depth and enhancing liquidity.
NGX Group Chairman, Umaru Kwairanga, described the engagements in China as part of a broader strategic plan to position Nigeria as Africa’s investment gateway. He underscored the importance of forging long-term capital alliances with major economies like China to sustain economic growth and create jobs.
“At NGX Group, we believe the capital market is essential to unlocking Africa’s economic potential. Our engagement in China reflects a vision to build bridges between Nigeria and global markets, creating prosperity for businesses and citizens alike,” he said.
The China-Africa CEO Dialogue further underscored the rising role of African capital markets in supporting global investment and trade ecosystems. Both the NGX and SEC pledged to continue using capital market diplomacy as a tool for economic resilience, innovation, and sustainable development.
In a related update, Nigeria’s SEC recently announced its intent to deepen cooperation with other Asian financial hubs and explore frameworks that ease market entry for international corporations, especially those seeking partnerships within Nigeria’s fintech, agribusiness, and infrastructure sectors.
The renewed ties between Nigerian and Chinese financial institutions are expected to foster increased listings of foreign firms on the NGX, increased access to long-term capital for Nigerian businesses, and more robust integration into the global investment network.