Business – Page 32 – Rise Africa

IMF downgrades Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.1%

15.04.2026

The International Monetary Fund has downgraded Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.1 per cent, citing economic disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict and its impact on global energy markets. The revision was disclosed in the Fund’s April 2026 Global Financial Stability Report, as sighted on its website on Tuesday. This latest outlook is...

A Vital Tool for Consumer Spending

14.04.2026

The Chief Executive Officer of Routelink Group, Femi Adeoti, has stated that Nigeria’s prevailing economic realities, driven by rising inflation and an increasing cost of living, are fundamentally reshaping how citizens manage money. He noted that fintech platforms have moved beyond mere convenience to play a critical role in financial survival. Adeoti shared these insights...

PTDF assures transparency in overseas scholarship selection

14.04.2026

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund on Monday reiterated its commitment to transparency, merit, and national development as it conducted interviews for its Overseas Scholarship Scheme at the South-West Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State. Officials of the Federal Character Commission, who monitored the exercise, also affirmed that the process complied with the principles of...

Analyst forecasts sustained oil prices above $100

14.04.2026

FXTM’s Head of Market Research, Lukman Otunuga, has forecast that oil prices will remain above $100, noting that stalled talks alongside physical shipping bottlenecks have combined to create what he described as a “perfect storm” for energy benchmarks. Global energy markets are bracing for a prolonged period of high costs as extreme supply tightness and...

Goldman Sachs bullish on corporate mergers after strong Q1

14.04.2026

Goldman Sachs reported strong first-quarter earnings on Monday, pointing to continued client interest in deal-making that so far has not been derailed by the Middle East War. The New York-based investment bank scored an 18 per cent jump in quarterly profit to $5.4 bn, citing a “significant increase in completed mergers and acquisitions volumes” that...

Access Bank Named Most Valuable Brand for 5th Straight Year

14.04.2026

Access Bank Plc has once again asserted its dominance in the Nigerian corporate landscape, securing the title of Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for the fifth consecutive year. The announcement came as part of the Brand Finance Nigeria 25 2026 report, which evaluates the nation’s premier brands based on brand value, strength, and overall business performance....

Bitget’s IPO Prime offers early SpaceX exposure

14.04.2026

Bitget, the world’s leading Universal Exchange, officially unveiled its latest market-disrupting product on Monday, IPO Prime. The new initiative aims to dismantle the walls surrounding high-growth private companies, starting with its first featured listing, preSPAX, a digital asset providing exposure to the aerospace giant SpaceX. By partnering with Republic, Bitget is moving beyond the confines...

Youth Engagement is Vital for Nigeria’s Insurance Growth

14.04.2026

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unitrust Insurance Company Limited, Adedayo Arowojolu, has called for deliberate efforts to increase youth participation in Nigeria’s insurance industry, stressing that the sector must be repositioned to align with the realities of the younger generation. Arowojolu made the call while speaking as a panellist at the 2026 BusinessToday Annual...

Nigerian Stock Market Rallies on FTSE Reclassification

14.04.2026

The Nigerian Exchange demonstrated significant resilience and growth during the trading week ended 10 April 2026, despite a shortened four-day session following the Easter public holiday. The market was characterised by a surge in investor confidence, propelled by the landmark announcement that FTSE Russell had officially reclassified Nigeria from “Unclassified” to “Frontier Market” status. This...

SUNU Assurances Appoints New Executive Director

14.04.2026

SUNU Assurances Nigeria Plc has confirmed the appointment of Olayinka Adaramola as the new Executive Director, Technical Operations, following the resignation of Independent Non-Executive Director, Olajumoke Bakare. This follows the company’s announcement of a major board restructuring, signalling a strategic shift towards stronger operational efficiency and deeper technical expertise. The leadership transition, according to the...