Africa Capital Forum Highlights Nigeria’s Shift to Long-Term Investment Amid Financial Reforms

Nigeria’s financial sector reforms are capturing global investor interest, signaling a move toward sustainable, long-term investment in the economy.

The Africa Capital Forum in London, held during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK, showcased these reforms. Hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the forum was themed “From Stabilisation to Capital Mobilisation.”

The event convened international investors, development financiers, and fintech leaders to assess reforms, explore diaspora investment, and deepen Nigeria’s financial resilience.

British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter stressed that the UK remains a key partner and urged that renewed investor interest be channelled into long-term, sustainable capital.

Odile Renaud-Basso, EBRD President, highlighted Nigeria’s growth potential due to population trends, technology adoption, and rising investor appetite. Melis Ekmen Tabojer, EBRD Managing Director for Policy Strategy, added that recent reforms have significantly improved investor confidence and policy frameworks.

Special Adviser to the President on Finance, Mrs. Sanyade Okoli, representing Finance Minister Wale Edun, noted that the government cannot fund growth alone and called for partners to bring “sticky equity capital” to support sustainable expansion.

CBN Deputy Governors Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi and Mr. Philip Ikeazor led discussions on capital market reopening, risk repricing, fintech, remittances, and Nigerian banks’ global positioning. Dr. Abdullahi highlighted foreign reserves exceeding $50 billion, a stabilised FX market, and declining inflation, while Mr. Ikeazor stressed the long-term continuity of reforms.

Executives from major banks, including Segun Alebiosu (First Bank), Oliver Alawuba (UBA), Miriam Olusanya (GTCO), Yemisi Edun (FCMB), Roosevelt Ogbonna (Access Bank), and Akin Oguranti (Zenith Bank), commended the reforms for boosting confidence and enabling banks to finance more local projects.

The forum illustrates Nigeria’s shift from stabilisation-focused policies toward long-term capital mobilisation, making the country an increasingly attractive destination for international investors.

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