E-Financial
Nigeria signs currency swap deal with China, NFP in focus

By Lukman Otunuga
Sentiment towards the Nigerian economy was elevated on Friday, after the nation finally signed a bilateral currency swap agreement with China.
The transaction, which is valued at 16 billion Renminbi,aims to provide sufficient liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists. This move will not only improve the speed, but also the convenience of transactions between both nations. There is a possibility that the Naira will strengthen from the currency swap deal, as the demand for Dollar drops.
US-China trade talks in focus
Asian stock markets fell while the Japanese Yen held steady, as investors closely monitored tense trade talks between the United States and China, in Beijing.
The chances of a breakthrough trade deal from the two-day meeting are seen as highly unlikely. However, the talks could be a positive step for the two nations to avoid a potential trade war. Although it is difficult to predict the outcome of the trade meetings, continual talks and negotiations between the Trump administration officials and Chinese officials may ease tensions. Any signs of a possible breakdown in negotiations between the US and China have the ability to weigh on risk sentiment, consequently punishing global stocks.
Will NFP push the Dollar higher?
It has certainly been another incredibly positive trading week for the Dollar, which has rallied to its highest level this year, moving above 92.80.
Friday’s main risk event will be the monthly US jobs report for April which should offer fresh insight into the health of the labour market. With inflation expectations rising and strong economic data boosting sentiment, today’s NFP report will be in sharp focus. Markets expect the US economy to have added 195k jobs in April, up from 103k in March, while unemployment is predicted to drop to 4.0% from 4.1%.
While the headline NFP figures and unemployment rate are both of great importance, much attention will be directed towards wage growth. Any signs of accelerating wage growth will suggest that inflationary pressures are building, ultimately reinforcing expectations of a rate hike in June.
Taking a look at the technical picture, the Dollar Index is firmly bullish on the daily charts. Although prices retreated from near2018 highs on Thursday, this has less to do with a change of sentiment towards the Dollar, and more to do with investors profit taking. The Dollar Index trades firmly above the 200 Daily Simple Moving Average, while the MACD has crossed to the upside. Bulls remain supported above the 92.00 level with 93.00 acting as a key level of interest. Alternatively, sustained weakness below 92.50 could invite a decline back towards 92.00.
Commodity spotlight – Gold
Gold prices were flat during early trading on Friday as investors positioned themselves ahead of the anticipated US jobs data release.
Price action suggests that Gold bulls and bears have been engaged in a tug of war since the start of the trading year, with support at $1300 and resistance at $1360. While geopolitical tensions and overall uncertainty supported bulls, bears have received constant inspiration from US rate hike expectations. With prices sinking close to the $1300 support level this week amid an aggressively appreciating Dollar, could the tug of war be coming to an end?
Gold bears may be offered an opportunity to attack and conquer the $1300 level today, if the NFP data results exceed market expectations.
Taking a look at the technical picture, the yellow metal is under pressure on the daily charts. Previous support around $1324 could transform into a dynamic resistance that encourages a decline towards $1300 and $1260, respectively.
E-Financial
Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

Ecobank Nigeria has moved to retire the remaining part of its $300 million Eurobond before maturity. The bank has launched a tender offer for holders of its 7.125% senior notes due February 2026.

The bank announced the offer on Friday, 28 November 2025, inviting investors to tender their holdings ahead of schedule. Of the original $300 million issuance, $150 million remains outstanding.
Under the terms, investors whose notes are accepted for repurchase will receive $1,000 for every $1,000 in principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the settlement date. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31 December 2025.
Ecobank said the early repayment move is part of a broader strategy to optimise its balance sheet and strengthen capital planning flexibility. The lender added that the tender offer gives investors an opportunity to exit the instrument ahead of the original February 2026 maturity.
In a statement, the bank said the initiative underscores its “commitment to transparent engagement with funding partners and investors,” stressing that the offer supports its long-term goal of maintaining a well-structured debt profile.
Participation in the programme is voluntary, and investors will make decisions based on their individual considerations, the bank added.
Ecobank emphasised that the announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Eligible noteholders are expected to rely on the formal tender documents when deciding whether to take part.
E-Financial
Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating deductions of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants has given commercial banks a four-day deadline to submit all requested documents.

House of Rep
The committee, chaired by Hon. Kelechi Nwogwu, issued the ultimatum at the commencement of its investigation, following a motion earlier moved by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, on alleged deductions from civil servants’ salaries.
Nwogwu insisted that Chief Executive Officers of affected financial institutions must appear in person before the panel, rejecting representatives sent by GT Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other banks.
He explained that the panel was mandated to ensure that all deductions of charges by banks on customers’ accounts were fair and properly applied.
The committee disclosed that invitations had also been extended to the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and all commercial banks operating in Nigeria.
“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are here on the mandate of the people who elected us into parliament. We have resolved to meet next week on Wednesday.
“You must submit all requested documents by Monday, May 1,” Nwogwu said.
He warned that any bank that failed to comply with the deadline would face sanctions, adding that the committee would put the CEOs on oath during the next sitting.
The investigation continues next week.
E-Financial
SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.
SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.
The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.
SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.
At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.
CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).
Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.
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