General News
Nigeria Sinks Below Zimbabwe Stock Valuations
Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency, tumbling oil revenue and a looming presidential election have turned the nation’s stocks into Africa’s biggest laggards, according to Bloomberg.
The country’s main equity index lost 25 percent this quarter after tumbling to a 22-month low, the continent’s largest retreat.
The Nigerian measure dropped to 8.1 times estimated earnings Dec. 11 in Lagos, falling below Zimbabwe for the first time since Bloomberg started tracking the southern African nation in 2010.
Bloomberg reported that tension in Africa’s largest economy is escalating before polls in February pitting southern Christian President Goodluck Jonathan against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, a northern Muslim, with attacks by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram killing at least 450 people in November.
Crude’s plunge below $65 a barrel has deepened the rout as Nigeria needs a price of $126 to balance its budget, more than any other major developing-nation producer bar Venezuela and Bahrain, according to Deutsche Bank AG.
“The government situation is somewhat chaotic,” Mark Mobius, who oversees about $40 billion as the executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, said by phone from Bangkok on Dec. 9.
“You’re going to get a lot of hesitation on the part of investors” until after the polls, he said.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index decreased 3.5 percent to 31,062.03, the lowest level since January 2013. The gauge has dropped 28 percent from this year’s high in July.
It is the fourth-biggest fall among 93 stock gauges tracked by Bloomberg worldwide this quarter through Dec. 11.
The last time Nigeria held general elections in 2011, stocks declined 1 percent in the six months before the April poll to end the year 16 percent down.
Jonathan’s victory triggered riots across the north that killed more than 800 people and led to the burning of churches, mosques and homes and was challenged by the runner-up.
Investors are more concerned this year as increased attacks by Boko Haram “make these elections particularly fraught,”
Nnamdi Obasi, a senior analyst for West Africa at Brussels-based International Crisis Group, a conflict resolution organization, said in a report last month.
Consumer and energy shares have been among the biggest drags on the benchmark index. Dangote Cement Plc, controlled by the continent’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has dropped 28 percent this year.
The stock makes up about a quarter of the gauge’s $62 billion market capitalization. FBN Holdings Plc, owner of the country’s biggest lender, fell 47 percent amid higher capital requirements.
The estimated price-to-earnings ratio for Nigeria is the lowest of nine of the largest markets in sub-Saharan Africa and compares with 8.14 times for the main measure of the stock exchange in Zimbabwe, where a decade-long recession that began in 2000 reduced the size of the economy by half.
Kenya’s Nairobi All Share Index is valued at 11.4, while Russia’s Micex Index is at 4.6 times estimated earnings as the economy teeters on recession amid international sanctions against the world’s biggest energy exporter. Brazil’s Ibovespa Index is valued at 10.3, while the MSCI Frontier Markets Index measures 9.1.
The selloff in some consumer stocks and banks has been extreme even after accounting for a more difficult business environment amid lower oil prices, Joseph Rohm, who helps manage about $2 billion in Africa for Investec Asset Management, said by phone from Cape Town Dec. 10. “It’s a better environment now for stock-pickers with a long-term horizon.”
Nigerian securities will rebound in 2015 if the political environment improves, Mobius said. The $1.8 billion Templeton Frontier Markets Fund hasn’t reduced its exposure to Nigeria during the recent downturn, he said.
The latest data from Nigeria’s stock exchange show foreign investors have been net sellers of the nation’s shares and bonds on the whole. They pulled $273 million from the country in October, the most since February when central bank Governor Lamido Sanusi was suspended.
Oliver Bell, a money manager at T. Rowe Price Group Inc. in London, said last month that the firm’s Africa and Middle East fund has cut holdings of Nigerian shares to the lowest level since the fund’s inception in 2007, even as he predicts the country’s long-term investment case will stay intact.
“We’re not seeing this as a buying opportunity at all,” David Wickham, director of frontier and emerging-market equity at HSBC Global Asset Management, which has $850 million in frontier market shares, said by phone from London Dec. 10.
“It’s a pretty challenging period. Most investors, unless they’re extremely contrarian, will sit back and wait.”
While Jonathan will probably win the elections, he is weakened by Boko Haram’s Islamist attacks along with his administration’s failure to curtail corruption and by senior party member defections to the opposition, Sebastian Spio- Garbrah, managing director at New York-based consultancy DaMina Advisors LLP, said last month.
Nigeria’s economy, which relies on oil for more than 90 percent of exports and 70 percent of government revenue, is getting buffeted by Brent crude’s more than 40 percent plunge since June to the lowest level in more than five years.
The finance ministry, which had projected 6.35 percent economic growth in 2015, may reduce that forecast by about one percentage point next week, spokesman Paul Nwabuikwu said by phone Dec. 10 from the capital, Abuja.
The central bank raised interest rates to a record 13 percent last month in a bid to stem capital outflows and defend the local currency, which dropped to a record low against the dollar on Dec. 2 and is heading for its biggest annual decline since 2008. The naira weakened 0.3 percent to 181.82 per dollar as of 9:50 a.m. in Lagos, extending losses this quarter to 9.9 percent.
“In the next 30 years, it’s a fantastic place to be,” said HSBC’s Wickham. “Right now, it’s a different story.”
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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