At the prestigious NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City, Nigeria’s fintech potential emerged as a key highlight during the Central Bank of Nigeria’s investment agenda showcase on April 17, 2025.
Governor Olayemi Cardoso emphasised the importance of “creating an enabling environment” for fintech development during a fireside chat with Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James Robinson.
The high-profile event, themed “The Nigeria Investment Agenda: Pathways for Growth & Global Partnerships,” brought together global financial leaders from institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Standard Chartered, and Citi, alongside influential Nigerian diaspora leaders and corporate executives.
Governor Cardoso articulated a forward-looking vision that extends beyond immediate monetary policy concerns, highlighting fintech as part of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy alongside broader services sector growth. He cited examples of Nigerian banks successfully expanding into other African markets as evidence of the potential for Nigerian financial institutions to compete regionally and globally.
This fintech focus comes amid significant economic reforms that have transformed Nigeria’s investment landscape. Deputy Governor Muhammad Sani Abdullahi detailed how cornerstone policies like removing fuel subsidies and unifying the exchange rate have fundamentally altered Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
The results are already visible: foreign exchange market liquidity has improved from $120 million daily to $500-600 million daily, while the premium between BDC segment and official market has narrowed to less than 2%.
Global investors have taken notice. Ahmad Zuaiter of Jadara Capital Partners observed that “Just two years ago, Nigeria was the biggest empty room in Emerging Markets. That’s changed,” while Joyce Chang of JPMorgan noted that “This government has tackled long-standing structural issues like fuel subsidies and FX management. Transparency has improved, putting Nigeria ahead of many others.”
The event also highlighted the role Nigeria’s global diaspora can play in driving economic growth. Dr. Robinson specifically mentioned that “the Nigerian diaspora is integrated into the global economy and can play a significant role in driving growth and investment.”
As Nigeria positions itself as “one of the few bright spots for investment in Africa,” the CBN’s strategic focus on creating an enabling environment for fintech development, signals a commitment to innovation-driven growth in its economic transformation journey.
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