E-Financial
Nigeria Marches into Q3 with A Mission to Stabilize
Lukman Otunuga, Research Analyst at FXTM writes: It’s quite interesting how, despite several months of disappointing domestic data and ongoing recessionary woes, Nigeria remains resilient, with the nation on a mission to stabilize by the end of 2017.
Although this year has dished out a myriad of trials ranging from internal concerns, external shocks and falling oil prices, the macro fundamentals of the largest economy in Africa continue to stabilize with a recent string of positive data verifying this statement.
The subtle signs of recovery can already be seen across GDP, inflation, FX and even the balance of trade, all of which should support the growing confidence over the nation’s health. As we enter the third quarter of 2017, foreign investors will be watching Nigeria closely to see whether the country is able to maintain the current momentum and ultimately break away from its recessionary chains.
Nigeria’s persistent inflation concerns eased slightly in June following reports that the rate of inflation declined for the fourth consecutive month in May to 16.25%, the lowest figure for the year so far.
This continued price stability has played a crucial role in boosting foreign investor risk sentiment towards the nation and has also heavily supported the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
With the Consumer Price Index visibly cooling, the Central Bank of Nigeria should have some breathing room to cut interest rates in the future and consequently boost business confidence, ultimately supporting further growth.
Although disappointment initially flooded the Nigerian markets a few months ago following a soft first quarter GDP growth of -0.52%, it must be kept in mind that this was actually the best GDP performance seen for four quarters.
With a variety of non-oil sectors in Nigeria ranging from manufacturing to agriculture and transportation already turning positive, the overall outlook is very encouraging with the impact potentially being felt in the second, third and final quarters of 2017.
Economic growth for the second quarter of 2017 is speculated to hit 1.3%; if this is confirmed, then Nigeria will have officially broken away from recession after five quarters of decline. Such a scenario will be highly beneficial for the nation as a display of stability will magnetize foreign investors.
Speaking of foreign investments, the MSCI’s recent decision to delay a potential removal of the MSCI Nigeria Index until this November should further support confidence and sentiment towards the nation.
It is highly likely that the stabilizing economic environment and noticeable improvement in liquidity across major market segments played a key role in MSCI’s decision to re-evaluate Nigeria’s position in its Index.
With the internal investment community displaying optimism over Nigeria’s medium to longer term outlook, there is a likelihood that MSCI will keep Nigeria on its Frontier Index. While positive signs are already visible with Nigeria’s weighing on the MSCI Frontier rising, the threat of MSCI removing the nation could still negatively impact its current recovery.
The Central Bank of Nigeria should find itself in the spotlight in the second half of 2017 as investors wait to see whether interest rates will be hiked or trimmed.
Although the Central Bank may be commended on its logical decision to maintain key interest rates at 14% as the nation recovered some ground and continued its quest to diversification beyond oil exports, it may be time to make a move.
With inflation cooling, data improving and the Naira supported on the parallel markets, a potential interest rate cut to 12% could be on the cards.
While the seeds of diversification have already been planted, Nigeria still remains vulnerable to falling oil in the short to medium term. A sharp and sustained depreciation of oil not only presents a serious threat to the implementation of the approved 2017 budget but also to the Naira’s current stability.
It must be understood that oil prices directly impact Nigeria’s foreign external reserves and a drop in the commodity will most likely reduce Dollar supplies, consequently impacting the stability of the Naira Exchange.
Instability in the Naira exchange will not only punish Nigerians but would also repel foreign investors. With oil prices officially in a bear market, this should be the green lights for Nigeria to switch up gears on the quest to diversification.
Focusing on the Naira, the currency currently trades around 365 against the Dollar as the CBN repeatedly injects Dollars into the foreign exchange markets to maintain liquidity. While this method has boosted sentiment towards Nigeria and created stability, questions should be raised of this strategy’s sustainability.
As discussed earlier, falling oil prices have the ability to create instability in the Nigerian foreign exchange and such should not be the case.
The multiple exchanges is still an issue lingering in the background that the Central Bank must strive to rectify while allowing the natural forces of supply and demand to determine the true value of the Naira.
All in all, the sentiment towards the Nigerian economy is taking a turn for the better as the economy continues to improve.
Much attention will be directed towards MSCI’s decision of Nigeria’s Index and the pending GDP report for Q2 which should provide further insight as to how the nation has fared so far this year.
While external risks such as higher US interest rates and falling oil may enforce some downside pressures, the nation should prove resilient as it continues its ongoing quest to diversifying and achieving a stable macroeconomic climate.
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.
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has raised CHF350 million, about $430 million, through a five-year digital bond, marking a major step in the use of regulated digital financial infrastructure by an African institution.
The transaction is the first time an African institution has issued a digital bond that is listed, traded and settled on a regulated digital exchange. It is also the largest digital bond ever issued in the Swiss franc market, according to AFC.
The deal strengthens AFC’s access to international investors as the Lagos based development finance institution seeks to diversify its sources of funding and raise more long-term capital for infrastructure and industrial projects across Africa.
The bond carries a coupon of 1.4925 percent and forms part of AFC’s wider $500 million benchmark funding programme issued in June 2026. Despite a difficult global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, the transaction attracted strong investor demand.
AFC is rated A with a positive outlook by S&P Global Ratings and A3 with a stable outlook by Moody’s Ratings, giving the institution an investment grade profile in international debt markets.
Swiss investors accounted for about 90 percent of demand, while international investors made up the remaining 10 percent. Banks and other financial institutions accounted for 57 percent of the order book, followed by asset managers at 37 percent and hedge funds at 6 percent.
“This transaction is about far more than achieving competitive pricing. It marks another significant milestone in AFC’s funding journey and underscores the confidence global investors continue to place in our strategy, credit strength, and development impact,” Samaila Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, said.
Zubairu said continued diversification and innovation in AFC’s funding strategy would be important to mobilising the long term capital needed to support Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation.
The transaction is AFC’s fourth and largest Swiss franc denominated issuance. It follows a CHF150 million green bond issued in 2020, which was the corporation’s first green bond transaction.
Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC, described the latest issuance as an important milestone for the corporation’s funding programme.
“Pricing the largest digital bond ever issued in the Swiss Franc market reflects not only the strength of AFC’s credit but the depth of trust that Swiss and international investors have placed in our strategy over time,” Fehintola said.
The bond was issued under AFC’s $5 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme and is structured as a tokenised security using distributed ledger technology. Ownership is recorded on a regulated digital register, while settlement takes place through regulated digital market infrastructure.
The notes are listed and admitted for trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange and deposited with SIX Digital Exchange. Clearing and settlement are handled through SIX SIS AG.
The structure gives AFC access to an alternative form of capital markets infrastructure while showing how distributed ledger technology can be used in institutional debt markets under established regulatory standards.
The proceeds will be used for AFC’s general funding needs, supporting its capacity to finance infrastructure and industrial projects across Africa.
Commerzbank AG acted as technical lead for the transaction, while Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, through its Zurich branch, also participated in arranging the deal.
For AFC, the issuance adds to a series of capital markets transactions designed to broaden its funding base and reduce dependence on a narrow group of financing sources.
The strong demand also points to continued investor appetite for African development finance institutions with established credit profiles, particularly those capable of accessing international markets while using new financial technology within regulated frameworks.
KudiWave Technologies Limited has raised questions over the transfer of N750,369,439.04 from its account with PalmPay Limited, seeking clarification on the timing, destination and circumstances surrounding the transaction.
In a statement, on Tuesday, KudiWave said the disputed debit was recorded on July 15, 2026, under the narration “Judicial Adjustment”.
The company said it was not notified of, or did not authorise, the transaction.
According to KudiWave, it had already approached the Federal High Court in Lagos to challenge an earlier order affecting its account.Politics News Service
The company said its application, filed on July 3, sought to set aside the June 29 order and stay its execution.
“The motion was heard on July 13 and adjourned for ruling. Two days later, the N750.37 million was transferred out of the account,” the company said.
KudiWave further stated that PalmPay had been served with the application before the July 15 transaction and did not file a counter-affidavit opposing the application.
The company also raised questions about an earlier movement of funds on July 11, which it said became apparent after access to the account was restored.
According to KudiWave, its account records showed that the funds were moved on July 11 and returned the same day before another transfer was recorded on July 15.
“PalmPay moved the money on July 11 and sent it back that same day. They then took it out again on July 15. When the account was opened, we saw how the money had been moved around while the account was frozen and we were not aware of it,” the company said.
The dispute followed an ex parte order obtained by the Inspector General of Police through officers of the Police Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, which placed restrictions on accounts belonging to several parties, including KudiWave, pending investigation.
The restriction was subsequently implemented on KudiWave’s account with PalmPay.
Further proceedings were filed under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/795/2026 before Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, in relation to funds standing to KudiWave’s credit.
KudiWave said the court granted an application on June 29.
The company subsequently challenged the order, arguing that it had not been properly served with the processes leading to the decision and had not been effectively brought before the court when the application was heard.
According to KudiWave, Justice Kala considered the company’s subsequent application on July 22 and set aside, vacated and discharged the June 29 order.
The company said the court also directed that the restrictions placed on its account be removed.
KudiWave further stated that the court examined the circumstances surrounding the purported service of the processes and raised questions about whether leaving documents at a gate, without sufficient indication of the company’s specific address, amounted to effective service.
The company quoted the court as describing the circumstances surrounding the service as “very curious”.
KudiWave also said the ruling recognised the court’s inherent power to set aside its own decision where circumstances justify such intervention.
The July 22 ruling came after the July 15 transfer.
KudiWave, however, said the transaction should be considered in the context of the fact that the June 29 order was already being challenged and that its application had been argued before the court two days earlier.
The company has also questioned the destination of the funds.
According to KudiWave, its understanding of the June 29 order was that the identified funds were to be transferred to a designated Police Recovery Account associated with the Police Special Fraud Unit.
The company said its account records instead indicated that the N750,369,439.04 was transferred to an Access Bank business account.
KudiWave said it wants clarification on the identity of the beneficiary, the instruction that authorised the transfer and the basis for the July 11 movement of funds.
“The issue for us is simple. If the order identified a particular account for the funds, there must be a clear explanation of why our records show the money going elsewhere and who ultimately received it,” the company said.
KudiWave said it was seeking a reconciliation of transactions carried out on its account during the restriction period and was considering further legal and regulatory steps in relation to the disputed transactions.
The company also said that, during earlier efforts to resolve the restriction, Barrister Prince Oko, its Company Secretary, met with officers of the Police Special Fraud Unit.
KudiWave alleged that a request for N50 million was made in connection with efforts to remove the restriction and said the company rejected the request.
The allegation has not been independently established and has not been determined by a court.
KudiWave maintained that its concerns do not relate to compliance with lawful court orders but to whether the transactions involving its funds were carried out in accordance with the terms of the relevant judicial directive.
The company said it wants clarification on the July 11 transactions, the subsequent N750,369,439.04 transfer on July 15, the destination of the funds and the circumstances surrounding the transactions.
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