Global foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 6% in 2025, reaching $1.6 trillion, according to the UNCTAD World Investment Report. While high-income and developed economies saw increased inflows, growth remained volatile and heavily influenced by corporate restructuring and financial conduit flows rather than a broad recovery in productive investment. Developing economies attracted $901 billion, a modest 2% increase. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s FDI trend diverged, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting a sharp decline in Q1 2026, as total capital importation was primarily driven by short-term portfolio investments rather than long-term strategic capital.

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a vessel, MT FILIA, at the UTUE Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, carrying approximately 683 metric tonnes of suspected stolen petroleum products, including 650 metric tonnes of crude oil. The vessel and its 12 crew members were detained during the operation, which was conducted under the Navy’s ongoing Operation DELTA SENTINEL. This enforcement action is part of a broader, sustained campaign to curb economic sabotage and protect critical oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

The Nigerian equities market closed the week ended July 24, 2026, on a positive note, with the All-Share Index rising by 1.6% to 247,357.40 points. Market capitalization gained approximately N2.53 trillion, finishing at N159.59 trillion, as year-to-date returns improved to 58.96%. Activity levels spiked, with trading volume and value increasing significantly. Financial services led market activity, while UPDC REIT and First HoldCo emerged as the top performers. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Exchange suspended Aluminium Extrusion Plc for failing to file its 2025 audited financial statements. Analysts remain optimistic for the near term, citing sustained momentum in banking and industrial stocks.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has scheduled its final Treasury Bills auction for July 2026, targeting a total issuance of N700 billion. The auction, set for July 29, includes N100 billion each for 91-day and 182-day tenors, alongside N500 billion for the 364-day instrument. The exercise continues the bank’s aggressive liquidity mop-up strategy for the third quarter, with the 364-day bill remaining the primary focus for investors. Bids must be submitted via the CBN’s S4 Web Interface.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) reports that the new 12.5% United States tariff on Nigerian exports will have a limited economic impact. According to CPPE CEO Muda Yusuf, over 80% of Nigeria’s exports to the U.S.—primarily crude oil and natural gas—are exempt from these duties. While non-oil sectors like agriculture and manufacturing may experience reduced competitiveness, the overall effect on Nigeria’s export earnings is expected to be minimal. Nigeria’s trade exposure is also mitigated by the fact that the U.S. accounts for only 5.56% of the nation’s total exports. The CPPE advises the government to improve labour standards and supply-chain transparency to navigate the evolving global protectionist environment.

NPF Microfinance Bank Plc reported a 7.7% rise in profit before tax to N3.20 billion for the first half of 2026, compared to N2.97 billion in the same period of 2025. Profit after tax grew by 5.68% to N2.04 billion, while gross earnings climbed 21.17% to N11.18 billion. The performance was driven by a 25.15% increase in interest income, though profitability was partially constrained by a sharp 121.19% spike in interest expenses and rising operating costs. The bank’s total assets grew by 15.86% to N61.70 billion.

Nigeria reported a 50% decrease in digital payment fraud losses to N25.85 billion in 2025, down from N52.26 billion the previous year. However, a new industry report by Adhere warns that this decline masks rising risks, as fraud attacks become more sophisticated and expensive due to artificial intelligence. While the number of reported incidents has fallen by approximately 31%, total losses remain elevated, and AI-enabled fraud is now 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods. Experts and law enforcement cite significant challenges, including a major cybersecurity workforce gap, insider threats, and the need for stronger regulatory architecture. The Central Bank of Nigeria continues to tighten oversight, issuing 17 regulatory actions in 14 months to address vulnerabilities in the digital payments ecosystem.

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has initiated the African Development Bank (AfDB) appraisal process for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Green Line. This critical assessment evaluates the project’s environmental, social, and institutional readiness for a proposed $3 billion financing package. The 70-kilometre line, spanning from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, aims to serve as a high-capacity transit corridor. While the project has secured initial government backing and a tripartite agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company, urban planning experts have raised concerns regarding station density and train capacity, suggesting potential design improvements to maximize future ridership.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has formally launched the Lagos State Building Insurance Scheme, a move aimed at enhancing disaster resilience and insurance penetration. NAICOM Commissioner Olusegun Omosehin emphasized that the commission will provide the necessary regulatory framework to ensure the scheme remains transparent, competitive, and accessible. The initiative aligns with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act of 2025, which mandates coverage for public buildings and construction projects to protect owners and third parties. NAICOM has committed to combating fake insurance certificates and unlicensed operators while urging industry players to prioritize the prompt settlement of claims to bolster public trust.

The Israeli Embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Innov8 Hub, has secured funding for the fifth edition of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR). Launching in October, the programme aims to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial viability by providing Nigerian innovators with mentorship, technical support, and investment opportunities. TETFund is simultaneously scaling its support by establishing innovation centres across over 60 tertiary institutions nationwide to foster domestic research commercialisation.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has revised its Q3 2026 FGN Bond Issuance Calendar, reducing the total planned issuance to a range of N3.4 trillion to N4.6 trillion, down from the original N4.2 trillion to N5.1 trillion.

While the July auction remains largely unchanged, significant adjustments were made to the August and September schedules, including a reduction in total offer sizes. The DMO has also introduced a new 10-year benchmark bond, the FGN SEP 2036, which will debut in September. The 15.45% FGN JUN 2038 bond remains the quarter’s primary anchor security, signaling a strategic focus on longer-duration debt despite the overall volume cut. This adjustment follows a recent expansion of the Q2 Treasury Bills programme, suggesting a shift toward short-term financing instruments to meet immediate fiscal needs. The DMO noted that the calendar remains provisional and subject to change based on market conditions.

The Nigerian equities market has entered the third quarter of 2026 with strong momentum, as the NGX All-Share Index records a 60% year-to-date return. Market consensus from major research houses and strategists identifies the banking sector as the primary driver for Q3 performance, citing robust capital bases following recent recapitalization, resilient earnings, and attractive valuations. Secondary support is expected from the industrial goods, telecommunications, and consumer goods sectors. While analysts remain optimistic about the potential for the index to reach new highs, they warn that elevated Treasury yields may continue to compete with equities for investor capital throughout the second half of the year. Notable stocks frequently highlighted include Zenith Bank, UBA, Access Holdings, ETI, GTCO, MTN Nigeria, and major cement producers.

Member states of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) have adopted the 2026 Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity, aiming to harmonize technology-neutral regulations across Africa. Concluded at the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja, the agreement focuses on expanding infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, and boosting digital literacy. Additionally, the conference elected Kezias Kazuba Mwale as the new ATU Secretary General, while Nigeria assumed the Chairmanship of the conference. This policy push aligns with Nigeria’s recent domestic efforts to harmonize digital regulations and coordinate virtual asset oversight.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been named Nigeria’s Best Bank for Retail and Sustainability Leadership (ESG) at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence. The awards recognized the bank for its significant strides in environmental and social governance, including the launch of a green financing facility and its support for women-owned businesses. Additionally, the bank’s retail sector saw substantial growth, with its customer base expanding to over 37 million and retail revenue quadrupling. The bank’s continued digital transformation, led by its AI chatbot LEO, was also highlighted as a key driver of its success.

The Federal Government has announced plans to overhaul Nigeria’s housing sector through a new National Housing and Built Environment Regulation Policy. The proposed reforms include mandatory licensing for property developers, the implementation of regulated escrow accounts to protect homebuyers’ funds, and stricter construction quality assurance. These measures aim to curb real estate fraud and restore investor confidence. Additionally, the government plans to increase mortgage loan ceilings to N85 million via the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and allow National Housing Fund contributors to utilize up to 25% of their Retirement Savings Accounts as home equity.

Sixteen Nigerian states have adopted a harmonised tax framework aimed at eliminating multiple taxation and fostering a more predictable business environment. The Joint Revenue Board has streamlined subnational tax heads to nine, while digital integration is being deployed to prevent duplicate assessments. This development is part of broader federal fiscal reforms, which include the upcoming launch of a Taxpayer Bill of Rights by the Office of the Tax Ombud to enhance transparency, accountability, and voluntary compliance.

The total value of outstanding corporate bonds on the FMDQ Exchange reached N2.30 trillion in June 2026, marking a marginal increase from N2.29 trillion in May. Despite a slowdown in new issuance activity during the month, corporate bonds remain the largest segment of admitted non-sovereign securities.

Meanwhile, the commercial paper (CP) segment continued a steady recovery, with outstanding values rising to N465.34 billion. Financing costs showed signs of improvement as the average discount rate for quoted commercial papers fell to 19.18% in June, down from 19.78% in May. Subnational bond values remained stagnant at N661.06 billion, reflecting a lack of new activity in that segment since February.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Coscharis Motors Limited leave to appeal a judgment that previously ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to seal the automaker’s premises. The dispute originated from a case filed by Florence Ozor regarding a defective Range Rover purchased in 2024. Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that Coscharis established sufficient legal interest to challenge the decision, citing a violation of the company’s right to a fair hearing, as it was not joined as a party to the initial suit. While the FCCPC reports that a replacement vehicle has been provided, the court also scheduled a hearing for July 28, 2026, to address contempt proceedings against the Commission.

Nigeria’s currency in circulation dropped to 5.52 trillion Naira in June 2026, down from 5.69 trillion Naira in May. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also shows that currency held outside the banking system decreased to 4.92 trillion Naira, indicating a move toward digital payment channels. Despite the monthly decline, the figure remains 10.30 percent higher than the 5.008 trillion Naira recorded in June 2025. These shifts align with the CBN’s ongoing efforts to promote a cash-lite economy and achieve 95 percent financial inclusion by 2028 under its Payment System Vision framework.