Nigeria's revamped financial landscape attracts global backers, indicating a pivot towards sustained investment.

Nigeria's financial sector reforms have garnered significant attention from international investors, who are now seeking to invest long-term capital in the country's economy, a development that was highlighted at the Africa Capital Forum in London, which coincided with President Bola Tinubu's state visit to the United Kingdom.

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The forum, themed "From Stabilisation to Capital Mobilisation," was jointly hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and it brought together global investors, development financiers, and fintech innovators to discuss strategies for deepening Nigeria's financial resilience and strengthening investor confidence.

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The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, noted that the UK remains a key partner in Nigeria's banking and capital markets, and he emphasized the need for the next phase of reforms to focus on converting renewed investor interest into long-term, sustainable investments.

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Madame Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, cited Nigeria's economic potential, including population growth, adoption of new technologies, and increased investor appetite, as strong indicators for future investment.

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Melis Ekmen Tabojer, Managing Director of the EBRD, added that Nigeria's reforms have significantly influenced investor confidence and policy development, paving the way for increased investment in the country.

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Mrs. Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, stressed that the government cannot fund growth alone and called for partners to bring "sticky equity capital" to support sustainable economic expansion.

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The forum featured key sessions led by CBN Deputy Governors Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi and Mr. Philip Ikeazor, which examined repricing risk, the reopening of capital markets, Nigerian banks' global presence, fintech, and the future of remittances.

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Dr. Abdullahi highlighted that foreign reserves now exceed $50 billion, the FX market is stabilised, and inflation is falling, while Mr. Ikeazor emphasised the reforms' long-term continuity across administrations.

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Banking executives, including Segun Alebiosu, Oliver Alawuba, Miriam Olusanya, Yemisi Edun, Roosevelt Ogbonna, and Akin Oguranti, praised the reforms for boosting confidence in the economy and enabling banks to fund more local projects.

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The forum signals a growing shift from short-term stabilisation efforts to long-term capital mobilisation, positioning Nigeria as an increasingly attractive destination for global investors.