Nigeria Now a Top-Tier Investment Frontier, Says NGX Group Chairman as Dangote Refinery IPO Breaks African Records
Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), has declared that Nigeria is no longer just a country of “immense potential” but a maturing economic powerhouse, urging global investors to seize the “best time” to enter the market.
Speaking at the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026 in New York, themed “Connecting Capital to Opportunity: Investing in Africa’s Next Frontier,” Kwairanga highlighted the transformative impact of the Tinubu administration’s fiscal and monetary reforms, stating that the country’s risk profile has dropped significantly while returns remain among the highest globally.
Kwairanga noted that the removal of fuel subsidies, the unification of exchange rates, and sensible monetary policy have corrected long-standing structural imbalances.
“The story about Nigeria used to be one of immense potential with rudderless leadership, but that is changing,” Kwairanga told a gathering of institutional investors and diplomats. “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.”
He stated that these macro-economic shifts have had a direct “knock-on effect” on the capital market, which has seen double-digit growth every year since 2023.
The NGX Chairman revealed that the ongoing Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offer (IPO) is currently setting records for the largest capital raised and the highest number of subscribers on the African continent.
“We have onboarded millions of new investors through digital innovations such as NGX Invest,” Kwairanga said. “The Nigerian Exchange has proved itself as a robust platform for capital raising and generating good returns for savvy investors.”
Kwairanga emphasized that foreign capital brings more than just financing; it brings expertise, technology, and institutional discipline. He likened Nigeria’s current trajectory to that of China in the 1980s—a giant about to unleash its full potential.
He invited global investors to explore specific high-growth sectors, including infrastructure financing, solid minerals development, large-scale agriculture, fintech, and tourism.
For those looking to enter the market, Kwairanga outlined the pathways, noting that there are opportunities in venture capital, private equity, and infrastructure.
and over 300 securities listed on NGX premium and main boards, supported by over 150 active trading license holders equipped with modern technology.
“Nigeria is akin to China in the 1980s, therefore, I invite you to take the right step and invest in Nigeria at the best time,” Kwairanga concluded.
