At UNGA 81: NGX Woos Investors, Flaunts Nigeria’s Improving Risk Profile

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Nigerian Exchange Group  (NGX) has stated that Nigeria’s country risk profile is considerably lower than it was three years ago while returns on investment available remain some of the highest in the world and sustainable.

The NGX Chairman, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga stated this while marketing the country’s enormous investment potential to the global audience at the Nigeria Investment Forum held on the sidelines of the 2026 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York, United States.

Kwairanga said the theme of the event spoke directly to one of the defining questions for Nigeria and the wider continent – how to connect global capital more effectively with the opportunities emerging across economies.

According to him, for Nigeria, the answer was beyond attracting capital, but requires creating the conditions that allow capital to enter efficiently, support productive enterprise, generate sustainable returns and contribute meaningfully to economic development.

Kwairanga stated that Nigeria’s abundance of natural resources, whether in crude oil, solid minerals and fertile land and climate suitable for large scale agriculture combined with its large, young hardworking population make it one of the 21st century’s economic growth engines.

He noted that the reforms introduced by the federal government, including fuel subsidy removal, discontinuing parallel exchange rate regimes, sensible monetary policy and a reformed tax regime have had positive impact on the country’s macros economic growth and the business environment for companies, both big and small.

“That has had a knock-on effect on the Nigerian capital market which has seen double digit growth every year since 2023,” Kwairanga said.

He noted that the NGX sees itself as part of a broader national ecosystem for capital formation and economic growth, adding that its role extends beyond providing a marketplace where securities are traded.

“ It is about helping to create an environment in which businesses can access long-term financing, investors can participate in credible opportunities and savings can be channeled towards productive sectors of the economy.

“Achieving this depends fundamentally on investor confidence. Capital moves towards opportunity, but it remains where investors have confidence in the institutions and systems supporting their investments. That confidence is built through sound regulation, credible governance,

transparency, market integrity and infrastructure that allows transactions to take place efficiently.

“In considering where to invest, investors must weigh risk and return. Nigeria’s country risk profile is considerably lower than it was three years ago while the returns available remain some of the highest in the world and they are sustainable.

“Nigeria’s abundance of natural resources whether in crude oil, solid minerals and fertile land and climate suitable for large scale agriculture combined with its large, young hardworking population make it one of the twenty first century’s economic growth engines.

“The story about Nigeria used to be one of immense potential with rudderless leadership but that is changing. The country’s potential remains huge but it is now underpinned by a stable democracy and a business-minded leadership that is committed to supporting the private sector and welcoming to foreign investment.

“Forums such as this are therefore valuable because they move the conversation beyond simply telling Nigeria’s investment story. They provide an opportunity for direct engagement with the investors and institutions that can participate in the country’s growth.

“International investors have an important role in this journey. Foreign capital brings more than financing; it can also bring expertise, technology, global networks, institutional discipline and access to international markets.

“On our part at the Nigerian Exchange, we are leveraging on the favourable business environment and the support of government to build a robust and thriving capital market. In the last couple of years, we have grown market capitalisation as well as trading volumes and values.

“We have onboarded millions of new investors through our trading licence holders marketing and digital innovations such as NGX Invest which is an efficient portal for primary offers. We have welcomed more enterprises to a listing on the Nigerian Exchange. The latest of these is the ongoing Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offer which is setting records for capital raised and number of subscribers

on the African continent. The Nigerian Exchange has proved itself as a robust platform for capital raising and generating good returns for savvy investors.

“We remain committed to playing our part. We believe that a strong capital market is not an end in itself. Its value lies in what it enables: businesses to grow, savings to become productive investment, infrastructure to be financed, ownership to broaden and economic opportunities to reach more people,” he told global investors.

He stressed that Nigeria has opportunities that merit global attention, adding that “our collective task is to continue strengthening the institutions, markets and partnerships that can transform those opportunities into investable and scalable proposition.”

He,  therefore, invited global investors to be part of the growth story of Nigeria through the Nigerian Exchange.

“For venture capital, private equity and other institutional investors, there are tremendous opportunities in infrastructure financing, solid minerals development, large scale agriculture, fintech and tourism development.

“We have desk officers at the Exchange who are ready to answer any questions you may have and link you up with trusted local partners. For individual investors we invite you to invest in over three hundred securities listed on our premium and main boards, most of which are doing well and generating returns in the form of capital appreciation and dividends for discerning investors. We have over one hundred and fifty investment firms who are active trading licence holders of the Nigerian Exchange. “They are staffed by experienced professionals and equipped with the latest market technology and able to guide you through how to invest in Nigerian financial assets and commodities,” he said.