E-Financial
FXTM Analysis: The Dollar Sinks while Euro Remains Supported
FXTM Research Analyst Lukman Otunuga comments on the IMF’s US growth forecast and the Euro.
The last remnants of the once phenomenal Trump rally were thoroughly crushed on Tuesday after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) trimmed its growth forecast for the US economy amid uncertainty over White House policies.
Although US President Donald Trump has, on multiple occasions, stated that he will “make America great again” the IMF seems unconvinced as it cut growth forecast for the US economy to 2.1% in 2017 and 2018, against April’s projections of 2.3% in 2017 and 2.5% in 2018.
With the world’s largest economy struggling to hit Trump’s 3% GDP target as it confronts issues ranging from an ageing population to low productivity, sentiment is likely to take a hit with the Dollar finding itself under renewed selling pressure.
Bearing in mind that the IMF’s growth projection for the US economy was revised due to flailing assumptions of Donald Trump moving forward with market shaking pro-growth policies, this is a big deal and it will be interesting to see how Fed policymakers react.
Dollar bullish investors who were in desperate need of inspiration to support the Greenback were left empty handed on Tuesday evening after Yellen maintained a safe distance from monetary policy at an event in London. Although she reiterated that “it will be appropriate to raise interest rates very gradually,” this was old news with nothing fresh brought to the table.
An interesting statement on Yellen’s part was how the banking reforms have currently made the financial system safe, with the next type of crisis that rattled the global markets in 2008 “hopefully not in our lifetimes.” While the comment continues to echo her overall optimism over the US and global economy, Dollar bears were unfazed with the Dollar Index sinking towards 96.20 as of writing.
GBPUSD pops above 1.2775
Sterling bulls were gifted an unexpected lifeline on Tuesday in the form of Nicola Surgeon putting the Scottish independence referendum bill on hold. With the delay of the proposed referendum reducing some political risk at home, the Pound was given room breath.
A weak Dollar played a role in the GBPUSD’s rebound as prices sprung towards 1.2850. While short-term technical bulls may have won the battle this week, the war still rages on with Brexit woes likely to limit gains in the medium to longer term.
Draghi inspires Euro bulls
Euro bulls were unstoppable during Tuesday’s trading session following the firmly hawkish comments from European Central Bank President Mario Draghi which boosted confidence over the health of the European Economy. With “deflationary forces being replaced by reflationary ones,” speculation has mounted over the central bank potentially tapering QE in the future.
Although the central bank president still highlighted that the inflation dynamics remain muted, there is optimism that the current factors hindering inflation are transitory and as such the Euro found further support.
A vulnerable US Dollar complimented the EURUSD’s upside with prices bursting above 1.1300. Technical traders could exploit the decisive break above 1.1300 to target 1.1450.
WTI Crude edges above $44
The fundamental reason why oil has remained depressed for such a prolonged period lies in the high global crude inventories. As long as the oversupply woes remain a dominant theme, the bearish sentiment towards oil should ensure sellers maintain control.
Although WTI Crude edged higher during Wednesday’s trading session, this technical bounce may provide a platform for bears to install renewed rounds of selling.
This remains a critical period for the oil markets especially when factoring in how the extended periods of low prices and US Shales resurgence could cause OPEC’s output cut deal to fall apart. A technical bounce on oil may be on the cards with traders observing how prices react to the daily 20 SMA which is coincidentally at $45.
Commodity spotlight – Gold
Gold bulls were unrestrained during Wednesday’s trading session with prices clipping $1252 as the combination of Dollar weakness and risk aversion boosted the metal’s safe-haven allure. The sharp losses observed at the start of the week have almost been clawed back with bulls eyeing $1260.
With the ongoing uncertainty of Brexit, political risk in Washington and jitters from depressed oil accelerating the flight to safety, Gold is likely to remain supported moving forward. Technical traders will be paying attention to how the metal behaves above $1250. A daily close above $1250 could encourage a further incline towards $1260.
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Mastercard and TeamApt Ltd., a subsidiary of Moniepoint Inc. and a provider of financial infrastructure and payment solutions, have entered a strategic collaboration to strengthen digital payment capabilities for businesses and financial institutions across Africa.
As part of this collaboration, TeamApt will operate directly on Mastercard’s global payments network as a non-bank acquirer, enhancing its ability to onboard credible and licensed entities to deliver seamless payment acceptance, transaction processing and acquiring services. This will further expand its card acceptance infrastructure, allowing more merchants to accept Mastercard payments across in-store, online and mobile channels.
The collaboration integrates TeamApt’s switching infrastructure with Mastercard’s network to facilitate secure, high-volume transactions across online and in-store channels. With Nigeria being home to more than 40 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and small businesses identifying digital solutions as vital to scaling, according to Mastercard’s 2026 SME Confidence Index, expanding payment acceptance remains an important opportunity for growth.
By combining TeamApt’s deep local market expertise with Mastercard’s global scale, businesses and individuals will benefit from more reliable transactions, stronger security and faster, safer and more accessible digital payment experiences.
“Expanding digital payment acceptance is one of the fastest ways to support small businesses across Africa to compete, grow, and reach more customers. By working with TeamApt, we are equipping MSMEs and informal sector businesses in Nigeria with robust, secure infrastructure to seamlessly process transactions across multiple channels. This collaboration brings more businesses into the digital economy, unlocking vital new opportunities for growth, credit access, and cross-border trade,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager, West Africa at Mastercard
“This collaboration with Mastercard represents an important step forward in our commitment to removing barriers within the payments ecosystem. For years, TeamApt has focused on building infrastructure that helps financial institutions and businesses grow with confidence. By working closely with Mastercard, we are extending those capabilities, enabling businesses to accept payments more seamlessly and giving users the freedom to transact securely both locally and internationally,” said Dennis Ajalie, Chief Executive Officer of TeamApt.
The collaboration also delivers international value, enabling Mastercard cards supported by TeamApt’s infrastructure to be used across millions of merchant locations worldwide. Customers gain the convenience of secure global payments, while merchants can more easily serve both local and international customers.
A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-licensed switching and processing company, TeamApt has, for over a decade, built and operated critical financial infrastructure that powers banks, fintechs and other institutions. The company’s technology supports secure and reliable transaction processing across multiple payment channels, enabling businesses and consumers to participate more easily in the digital economy.
This collaboration further underscores the strength of Moniepoint’s ecosystem. With operations and agent coverage across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria, Moniepoint has established one of the nation’s most extensive financial services networks, positioning the group to drive meaningful scale and adoption of digital payment solutions.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed capital market operators to immediately freeze the assets of six individuals and three entities designated as terrorism financiers by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the SEC management on June 26, 2026, and published on the commission’s website on Wednesday.
The SEC said the Nigeria Sanctions Committee designated the individuals and entities under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA), 2022, and subsequently added them to the Nigeria Sanctions List.
The designated individuals are Babangida Muhammed Adamu Hammajam, Abdullahi Umar Usman, Ibrahim Abubakar, Adamu Chiroma, Muktar Muhammad Adamu and Yakubu Ogirima Ibrahim.
The three entities are Nine to Nine BDC Ltd, Generation Currency BDC Ltd and Abbal Bako & Sons Bureau de Change.
The commission directed all capital market-regulated entities to immediately identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets and other economic resources belonging to the designated individuals and entities.
“Immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources in their possession, belonging to the designated individuals and entities and report same to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee,” the commission said.
The SEC also directed operators to report all frozen assets and other actions taken in compliance with the sanctions, including attempted transactions involving the designated individuals and entities.
The commission further instructed capital market operators to file suspicious transaction reports with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for analysis.
Operators were specifically directed to report “all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this Sanctions List” as suspicious transaction reports to the NFIU.
The commission prohibited capital market operators from dealing with the designated individuals and entities and ordered them to maintain continuous monitoring of transactions involving them.
“Take Note that at all times, any unusual or suspicious transactions MUST be promptly reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU),” the SEC said.
The directive takes immediate effect.
The commission warned that failure to comply with the directive would constitute a violation of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025, as well as its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Rules and Regulations.
“Such violation would attract appropriate regulatory sanctions, including fines, suspension of operations, or revocation of registration,” the SEC said.
The commission said Hammajam was listed on June 18 for alleged involvement in terrorism financing and support for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
It said Usman was designated for allegedly providing material support to a designated terrorist organisation through repeated financial transactions, while Ibrahim was listed over alleged involvement in terrorism financing and membership of ISWAP.
According to the SEC, Chiroma was allegedly involved in terrorism financing through the use of bureau de change and related corporate entities to facilitate the movement of funds linked to terrorist activities.
The commission said Adamu was listed on June 15 for allegedly providing financial support and facilitating transactions linked to the financing network of the ISWAP Okene cell.
Ogirima Ibrahim, according to the SEC, was listed on June 18 for allegedly providing material and financial support to the ISWAP Kogi cell.
The three bureau de change companies were also listed on June 15 over their alleged involvement in facilitating or channelling funds connected to the ISWAP Okene financing network.
The SEC said the directive formed part of broader measures by Nigerian and international authorities to disrupt suspected terrorism-financing networks.
On June 23, the United States announced sanctions against three individuals and six entities allegedly linked to Islamic State financing, including three bureau de change operators.
Two days later, the Central Bank of Nigeria also directed banks to freeze accounts belonging to customers linked to terrorism financing.
The latest SEC directive reinforces the regulatory focus on preventing Nigeria’s capital market and financial system from being exploited to finance terrorism and other illicit activities.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued an urgent directive requiring all capital market-regulated entities (CMREs) to immediately subscribe to Nigeria’s Sanctions (NigSac) Alerts system.
Effective immediately, failure to comply with this, or other AML/CFT regulations, may result in severe fines, suspension of operations, or revocation of registration.
This follows fresh designations by both local and international authorities of individuals and Bureau de Change operators for alleged direct involvement in terrorism financing and material support to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The directive, according to three circulars issued by the apex capital market regulator, requires a mandatory compliance measure with threats of fines, operational suspension, or outright registration revocation for non-compliance.
The directive, pursuant to the implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) statements on high-risk jurisdictions, signals an escalation in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime.
The SEC’s broader circular implementing FATF high-risk jurisdiction statements reflects Nigeria’s heightened exposure to international scrutiny. SEC, in line with directives from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), now requires CMREs to terminate all correspondent banking relationships with listed high-risk jurisdictions, business entities and individuals.
“In line with the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act (TPPA), 2022, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has designated six (6) Individuals and three (3) Entities as terrorist financiers and subsequently added them to the Nigeria Sanctions List,” SEC stated in circular to all market operators.
The circular mandated all capital market regulated entities and individuals to do the following:
“Immediately, identify and freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and any other economic resources belonging to the designated persons and entities in their possession and report same to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee;
“Report to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee any assets frozen or actions taken in compliance with the designation, including attempted transactions;
“Immediately file a suspicious transactions report to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for further analysis on the financial activities;
“Report as a suspicious transactions report to the NFIU, all cases of name matching in financial transactions prior to or after receipt of this Sanctions List;
“Subsequently prohibit dealings with the designated persons and entities; and continue to check for transactions relating to the designated persons and entities and report findings to the Nigeria Sanctions Committee through [email protected]”, SEC stated.
“Take Note that at all times, any unusual or suspicious transactions shall be promptly reported to the NFIU,” SEC warned.
According to the capital market apex regulator, the circular takes immediate effect and failure to comply with the directives constitutes a violation of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025, and the SEC AML/CFT Rules and Regulations and such failure would attract appropriate regulatory sanctions, including fines, suspension of operations, or revocation of registration.
The directive implies that capital market operators should immediately audit their AML/CFT technology stacks to ensure NigSac Alerts subscription and automated flagging capability.
CMREs are required to file suspicious transactions reports with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for any name matching with designated individuals and entities, whether such matches occur pre- or post-transaction.
The obligation extends to reporting all funds frozen and actions taken in compliance with designations to the NSC Secretariat via [email protected].
The designations also create secondary compliance obligations: CMREs must now maintain watchlists that incorporate designations from both the NSC and US Treasury, as regulatory expectations implicitly track international sanctions coordination.
For institutional investors and fund managers, this translates to enhanced due diligence on counterparty relationships, particularly where transactions flow through informal financial infrastructure or jurisdictions flagged under FATF increased monitoring status.
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