The Traffic

NGX, SEC Strengthen Nigeria-China Investment Ties Through Capital Market Diplomacy

By Achimi muktar 

In what could be a game-changing move for Nigeria’s economic future, the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are turning to capital market diplomacy—and their target is clear: China.

As global investors shift their focus toward emerging markets, Nigeria is placing a bold bet—positioning its capital market as the gateway to Africa for Chinese money and corporate partnerships. That strategy was on full display during the recently concluded China–Africa CEO Dialogue in Changsha, held on the sidelines of the 4th China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo.

Hosted in collaboration with Choice International Group, the high-level meeting saw Nigeria’s capital market giants rub shoulders with China’s business and regulatory elite, including stakeholders from the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and some of the biggest corporates in Asia.

Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, didn’t mince words when he said the real game-changer in Nigeria-China relations won’t just be trade deals—but financial market integration.

“Financial flows are often the missing link in many China-Africa engagements,” he said. “By opening these corridors, we are positioning Nigeria as a hub for cross-border investments and supporting the country’s economic diversification agenda.”

Popoola also hinted at ambitious plans to allow Chinese companies to raise capital directly within Nigeria—from bonds and commercial papers to equity placements—offering them a hedge against currency risks and a launchpad into Africa’s largest consumer market.

But this vision isn’t just about opportunity—it’s also about trust. And that’s where the SEC comes in.

Dr. Emomotimi Agama, the newly appointed Director-General of the SEC, made it clear: Nigeria isn’t just courting investors—it’s building a fortress of confidence around them.

“Our job is not just to provide the framework,” Agama said. “It’s to assure investors that if they come to Nigeria, they’ll find justice when they need it. Transparency and credibility are key.”

With Nigeria’s economy seeking lifelines amid currency volatility and inflation, this push for Chinese investment through capital markets could redefine Nigeria’s financial architecture. And the man at the helm of NGX Group, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, knows the stakes.

“We believe the capital market is pivotal to unlocking Africa’s potential,” Kwairanga said. “Our presence in China reflects our commitment to building investment bridges that can deliver long-term prosperity.”

Analysts say this kind of “market-to-market diplomacy” could be the missing piece in Nigeria’s bid to leapfrog its infrastructure, industrial, and technological ambitions. By tapping into China’s deep pockets and its global investment appetite, NGX and SEC may have just cracked the code to a new chapter in Nigeria’s economic story.

And if it works, this partnership won’t just be a headline. It could be a historic pivot—one where Nigeria becomes not just the investment destination, but the investment driver across Africa.