The Nigerian Exchange Group and the Securities and Exchange Commission have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening capital market partnerships with China in a renewed push to position Nigeria’s capital market as a strategic platform for cross-border investment flows.
The move was demonstrated at the China-Africa CEO Dialogue, organised by Choice International Group in collaboration with NGX Group, on the sidelines of the 4th China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha.
Speaking during the dialogue recently, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, said the Exchange was committed to driving cross-border partnerships that will open new capital-raising opportunities for Chinese companies and attract foreign investments into Nigeria’s real sector.
“Deepening capital market partnerships is key to unlocking new investment corridors between Nigeria and China,” Popoola said. He added, “We are actively engaging institutions like the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to create frameworks that allow Chinese corporates to raise capital locally, whether through bonds, commercial papers, or equity, while also reducing currency and operational risks.”
According to him, the capital market has a vital role to play in strengthening bilateral trade, manufacturing, ICT, and the growing interest in Nigeria’s automotive industry.
“Financial flows are often the missing link in many China-Africa engagements. “By opening these corridors, we are positioning Nigeria as a hub for cross-border investments and supporting the country’s economic diversification agenda,” he added.
From a regulatory standpoint, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to provide a transparent and secure investment environment that will boost investor confidence.
“Our job is not just to provide the framework but to assure investors that if they come to Nigeria, they’ll find justice when they need it,” Agama said. “Transparency and credibility are key to building investor confidence. While risk is inherent in every business, our role as regulators is to mitigate those risks and ensure a level playing field.”
The Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, also applauded the engagements in China, describing them as part of NGX Group’s broader strategy to establish Nigeria as Africa’s investment gateway.
“At NGX Group, we believe the capital market is pivotal to unlocking Africa’s potential. Our engagement in China reflects our commitment to building bridges between Nigeria and key global markets to deliver long-term prosperity for our stakeholders,” he said.
The dialogue highlighted the growing role of capital markets in facilitating trade, technology transfer, and industrialisation between China and Nigeria. Both NGX Group and SEC pledged to continue championing capital market diplomacy as a tool for sustainable economic growth and cross-border cooperation.
The PUNCH reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission has encouraged government agencies and state-owned enterprises to list on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.
