As global financial leaders convene ahead of the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in partnership with J.P. Morgan and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), hosted a strategic investment forum at the Nasdaq MarketSite. The event spotlighted Nigeria’s economic reforms and investment prospects.
Titled “The Nigeria Investment Agenda: Pathways for Growth & Global Partnerships,” the forum, held on Wednesday, attracted international investors, leaders from the Nigerian diaspora, and senior finance executives. Discussions focused on recent economic trends in Nigeria and avenues for stronger global collaboration.
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso led the dialogue, outlining key reforms over the past 18 months, including tighter monetary policy, improved transparency in the foreign exchange (FX) market, and enhanced governance in the financial sector. These reforms, he emphasized, are helping to stabilize the economy and rebuild investor confidence.
“This is about restoring credibility and charting a transparent policy direction,” Cardoso noted during a conversation with Nobel Laureate Dr. James Robinson of the Pearson Institute, University of Chicago. “We inherited a crisis of confidence, but we’ve taken a different path—and we’re not going back.”
Attendees participated in in-depth discussions about Nigeria’s economic outlook, the importance of institutional trust, and creating a stable policy environment to attract long-term investments.
CBN Deputy Governor Muhammad Sani Abdullahi provided a macroeconomic overview during the Bretton Woods meetings, highlighting a rise in FX market turnover, early signs of disinflation, and strengthening foreign reserves. He attributed these positive trends to Nigeria’s market-driven exchange rate and commitment to a transparent, rules-based policy system.
A key panel titled “Repricing Nigeria: Assessing the Scope for Sustained Change” featured renowned global finance experts including:
- Joyce Chang, Chair of Global Research, J.P. Morgan Chase
- Jason Rekate, Global Co-Head of Corporate Banking, Citi
- Razia Khan, Chief Economist for Africa and the Middle East, Standard Chartered
- Ahmad Zuaiter, Co-founder and CIO, Jadara Capital Partners
Moderated by Gavin Serkin of Frontier Intelligence, the panel recognized the progress of Nigeria’s reforms and a renewed global interest in the country, thanks to clearer policies and stronger institutions.
The event opened with remarks by Nasdaq President Tal Cohen and was coordinated by CBN Stakeholder Engagement Adviser Dr. Nkiru Balonwu. NGX CEO Temi Popoola led the investor Q&A, while Dr. Olubukola Akinniyi Akinwunmi, Director of Banking Supervision at the CBN, closed the event.
Notably, U.S.-based members of the CBN Board and Monetary Policy Committee—Robert Agbede, Prof. Melvin Ayogu, and Dr. Aloysius Ordu—were present, reinforcing the CBN’s goal of strengthening global connections and engaging the Nigerian diaspora.
According to a post on the CBN’s official X handle, the event served not only to showcase reform achievements but also to encourage broader global discussions on economic partnerships.
The CBN reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, rules-based governance and sound macroeconomic management as Nigeria continues to pursue sustainable growth and attract more foreign investment.