Nigeria

Given the difficulties experienced by Nigeria’s economy in 2016, every sector grappled with challenges, and capital markets were no exception. From external pressures such as low oil prices and US interest rate shifts, to internal factors such as depreciation and slowing oil production, investors in Nigeria had to account for a range of risks. These factors had a clear impact on inflows. In...

Despite the challenges to Nigeria’s economy, many of the country’s banks enjoyed healthy revenue and asset growth in 2016. Asset quality issues continue to hinder the sector, but banks have found avenues outside of lending activities to expand their balance sheets. One area of growth stemmed from the devaluation of the naira in 2016. According to the IMF, 45% of loans held by banks are in a...

The past few years have been difficult for Africa’s largest economy, with a fall in oil prices from more than $100 per barrel in 2014 to roughly $50 per barrel at the start of 2017 having damaging consequences for Nigeria. The fall in revenues from the country’s largest export-earner led to a slowdown in investment throughout the economy, a ballooning of federal government debt, a rise in non-...

Nigeria is the 14th-largest country in Africa, and with a population of 189m people and home to more than 250 ethnic groups, the country is rightly famed for its cultural diversity. A successful presidential election in 1999 ushered in a period of relative stability, with nearly 18 years of democratic polls. This greatly improved political situation has brought economic dividends, particularly...

Nigeria is the third-biggest country in West Africa by area and 32nd largest in the world. With 853 km of coastline adjoining the Gulf of Guinea, it is well connected to international trade routes and acts as an important conduit of goods for its landlocked neighbours to the north. Nigeria is also blessed with an abundance of resources. In the last 18 months, significant political progress has...