ECONOMY AND CAPITAL MARKET NEWS
For Week Ended January 16, 2026
CAPITAL MARKET NEWS
- CIS, ASHON hail FG as capital market hits ₦100 trillion capitalisation
The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the Association of Securities Dealing Houses (ASHON) have praised Federal Government reforms supporting Nigeria’s expanding capital market. The commendation followed Nigerian Exchange Ltd.’s attainment of ₦100 trillion market capitalisation. In a joint statement on Friday, the bodies described the milestone as affirming the market’s resilience, depth and growing sophistication. The statement was signed by ASHON Chairman, Samuel Adenagbe, and CIS President and Council Chairman, Oluropo Dada. Read More
- Teriba tasks stockbrokers to unlock capital for FG’s 2026 budget
Renowned economist and Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Dr Ayo Teriba, has urged stockbrokers to take the lead in helping the Federal Government generate funding for capital projects in the 2026 budget by monetising Nigeria’s idle public assets. Read More
- NGX champions $3bn climate capital initiative
The Nigerian Exchange Group, in collaboration with Germany’s development finance institution DEG and leading corporate players, has launched an initiative to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to net-zero and position local firms to access climate-linked capital estimated at $3 bn. Read More
- NASD market capitalisation surges to N2.12tn
The NASD Securities Exchange delivered a strong performance in 2025, with total market capitalisation rising to N2.12tn at year-end, a 106 per cent jump from N1.03tn in 2024. The expansion was fuelled by fresh listings and widespread price gains across listed securities. Read More
- Govt unveils new savings bond offer for retail investors
The Federal Government has launched a new Federal Government of Nigeria Savings Bond offer, targeting retail investors with competitive interest rates and low entry requirements, according to a document released by the Debt Management Office on Monday. Read More
- SEC raises capital base for market operators, gives 18 months to comply
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced new minimum capital requirements for operators in Nigeria’s capital market, raising thresholds for stockbrokers, dealers, fund managers, issuing houses, and digital asset companies. In a circular released on Friday, the Commission unveiled a revised capital framework to replace the 2015 structure, giving operators until June 30, 2027, to comply. Read More
- NGX total market valuation jumps to N217.749trn mid-January 2026
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) closed mid-January 2026 with a total capital market valuation of over N66.851 trillion, representing a 44.3% gain, and closing at N217.749 trillion. This is according to the latest data released by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited at the close of business on Friday, January 16. Read More
MONEY MARKET NEWS
- Naira ends week at N1,417.95/$ as external reserves maintain rally
The naira ended the week on a strong note, closing at N1,417.95 per dollar in the official foreign exchange (FX) market, as Nigeria’s external reserves sustained their upward momentum. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the local currency appreciated by 0.5 per cent week-on-week, gaining N6.55 as the dollar was quoted at N1,417.95 at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), compared with N1,424.50 recorded on Friday of the previous week. Read More
- Banks offer 2.7% interest on savings, charge 60% on loans
Bank customers are paying 60 per cent maximum lending rates for loans and getting a maximum of 2.7 per cent interest on their savings deposits in banks -deposit money banks (DMBs), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data has shown. Read More
- NDIC to pay N24.3 billion more to Heritage Bank’s depositors
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has declared a N24.3 billion second liquidation dividend for depositors of Heritage Bank Limited whose account balances exceeded the statutory insured limit of N5 million at the time of the bank’s closure. Read More
THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY
- Nigeria’s economic growth is fragile, needs targeted policies to reduce poverty —World Bank
The World Bank has warned that Nigeria’s economic growth, though showing signs of recovery, remains fragile and may not translate into improved living standards for millions of citizens unless targeted policies are implemented to reduce poverty. Read More
- Free zones drive $500m exports, 20,000 jobs – FG
The Federal Government has stated that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones generated over $500m in export revenues and created more than 20,000 direct jobs in 2025. The SEZs contributed to the country’s efforts to drive export-led growth, industrialise and provide employment. Read More
- FG, IFAD to empower 14,800 Ondo youths in agriculture
The Federal Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Ondo State Government, is set to empower a total of 14,800 youths in agricultural production. Read More
- Tax reform to protect low-income Nigerians — Oyedele
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that small-scale investors in the capital market are fully exempted from paying capital gains tax, while the 2026 tax reform law is aimed at protecting low-income earners and increasing disposable income. Read More
- 2026 Budget: FG allocates N1.38tn for pensions, gratuities
The 2026 Appropriation Bill has earmarked N1.38tn for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits across Federal Government agencies, security services, parastatals, and universities. Under the allocation, the Office of the Head of Civil Service will receive N94.54bn for civilian pensions, including gratuities, pension running costs, and unfunded liabilities, while civil service pensions alone account for N60.34bn. Arrears from 2024 pension increments are set at N30.58bn. Read More
- Inflation drops to 15.15%, as food inflation declines further
The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday said the headline inflation rate fell by 2.18 percentage points to 15.15 per cent in December 2025 from 17.33 per cent in November 2025. The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for December 2025. Read More
- Nigeria’s oil output drops 8.3% to 1.544m bpd
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the oil and gas industry regulator, said Nigeria’s oil output, including condensate, dropped by 8.3 percent year-on-year (YoY) to 1.544 million bpd in December 2025 from 1.684 million bpd recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. Read More
- Nigeria exits EU high-risk list, boosts investor confidence – Edun
Nigeria’s exit from the European Union’s high-risk third-country list is a major boost for investor confidence, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, has said, as the government moves to prioritise affordable food, housing, and job creation in the next phase of reforms. Read More
- UK investors lead Nigeria’s foreign inflow with $48m
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has revealed that the United Kingdom was the dominant source of new foreign investment into Nigeria in 2025, with roughly 65 per cent of capital inflows, underlining the renewed appeal of the country to international investors. Read More
GLOBAL ECONOMY
- World Bank: inflation decline drives 5.6% growth prospect
The World Bank Group yesterday projected a two-year 5.6 per cent growth in low-income countries driven by stronger domestic demand, exports recovery, and easing inflation. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the global lender said that despite 2026–27 growth prospects, the income gap between developing and advanced economies will continue to narrow. Read More
- Ghana’s Cocoa Trade: Navigating regulations for local and international participation
Ghana ranks as the second-largest producer of cocoa globally, with its beans highly valued for their reliable quality and rich taste. Recognising its strategic importance, the Government of Ghana has instituted a comprehensive regulatory framework to govern the purchase, processing, and export of cocoa. This system is designed to uphold quality standards, ensure transparency, and prevent illicit trade. Read More
- Financial stocks slide on Trump’s credit card cap call
U.S. and UK financial stocks fell on Monday following President Donald Trump’s call for a 10 per cent cap on credit card interest rates, a move that threatens a key revenue stream for banks, according to Reuters. Shares of top U.S. lenders JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America dropped 2.5 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively, while Citigroup fell 3.7 per cent and Wells Fargo declined 1.5 per cent. British bank Barclays’ shares also touched their lowest level in nearly a month, down 2.2 per cent. Read More
- Trump tariff threat over Greenland ‘unacceptable’, European leaders say
A threat by US President Donald Trump to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies opposed to his proposed takeover of Greenland has drawn condemnation from European leaders. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was “completely wrong”, while French President Emmanuel Macron called it “unacceptable”. Read More
Canada’s deal with China signals it is serious about a shift from the US
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new approach to Canada’s foreign policy can perhaps be distilled in one line: “We take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.”That was his response when asked about the deal struck with China on Friday, despite concerns over its human rights record and nearly a year after he called China “the biggest security threat” facing Canada. Read More
- Taiwan and the US seal deal to lower tariffs, boost chip investment
Taiwan and the United States have struck a trade deal that will see the island nation boost tech and energy investments in the US in exchange for lower tariffs. In a statement announcing the deal late on Thursday, the US Commerce Department said Taiwan’s semiconductor and technology businesses will invest at least $250bn in the US. In exchange, it said Washington will reduce its general tariff on imports of Taiwanese goods from 20 percent to 15 percent. Read More
- Saudi Arabia restarts Jeddah metro project
Saudi Arabia has restarted plans to build the Jeddah Metro, issuing a preliminary design consultancy tender for the project’s Blue Line. MEED understands the tender was issued in early January, with firms given until March to submit proposals. The Blue Line will run from King Abdulaziz International airport and connect to the Haramain High-Speed Railway station. The line will be 35 kilometres (km) long and will include 15 stations. Read More
- SA economy starts year on firmest ground in over a decade
Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) says the economy has entered 2026 on its strongest footing in more than a decade, helped by high commodity prices, sustained electricity reliability, stable public finances and easing interest rates. Read More
DISCLAIMER
This compilation is for information purpose only. Investors are advised to always consult their Stockbrokers for reliable and specific investment guidance at every point in time. The names of certified individual Securities and Investment experts in Nigeria can be found on the website of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, www.cisinigeria.org.
CIS Research