Money Monday- Nigeria Deepens Capital Markets with Fresh Listings Amid Cooling Inflation; Energy Discoveries and Tariff Shifts Drive Global Momentum
Ranora Daily - Your daily source for reliable market analysis and news.
Market Overview
Good morning and welcome to today’s market outlook, where easing inflation at 15.10% signals potential policy recalibration even as Lagos and UACN deepen Nigeria’s debt market with fresh bond listings. Strategic capital mobilisation continues with Banklink Africa’s mining finance initiative and UBA’s diaspora platform targeting Africa’s $100billion remittance opportunity. Globally, energy markets remain active with fresh discoveries, rising Venezuelan crude flows to the U.S., China’s zero-tariff expansion across Africa, and renewed LNG investments shaping cross-border trade and commodity dynamics.
Nigerian News & Market Update
Banklink Africa, Deap Capital to float mining finance firm:
Banklink Africa has partnered with Deap Capital Management & Trust Plc to create the Critical Mineral Finance Corporation, a platform to fund mining and critical minerals projects across Nigeria and Africa.- Punch
Lagos lists ₦244.8billion dual bonds on NGX:
Lagos State listed ₦244.8billion in dual bonds on the Nigerian Exchange Limited, combining green and fixed-rate debt to fund long-term infrastructure and climate-friendly projects. - Punch
UACN lists ₦54.03billion bond on FMDQ Exchange:
UAC of Nigeria Plc has listed a ₦54.03billion seven-year bond on the FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited to refinance debt, fund expansion, and strengthen its working capital. - Punch
Nigeria’s Headline Inflation Rate Drops to 15.10% in Jan.:
Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 15.10% in January 2026, slightly down from 15.15% in December, defying most market expectations. Data from National Bureau of Statistics also showed declines in core inflation to 17.72% and food inflation to 8.89%. - Dmarketforces
UBA eyes $100billion remittance with Diaspora Platform:
United Bank for Africa (UBA) launched a diaspora banking and investment platform. The initiative, supported by partners like United Capital and Africa Prudential, aims to tap into the $100billion annual African diaspora remittance flows. - DailyTrust
Nigeria Sectoral Indices Performance
The table below shows that the Nigerian market closed strongly positive, with the NSE ASI gaining 4.37% on the day as all major sectoral indices posted broad-based advances. Industrial Goods (+7.77%), Premium Board (+7.60%), and Consumer Goods (+5.32%) led daily gains, while Banking and Oil & Gas maintained solid momentum. Performance remains robust across time frames, with Oil & Gas (+47.21% YTD), Premium Board (+38.45% YTD), and Lotus Index (+37.10% YTD) driving year-to-date returns.
Fixed Income (FGN Bonds)
Global News & Market Update
Equinor makes oil, gas find in the North Sea:
Equinor ASA discovered an estimated 1.3–3.8 million barrels of oil equivalent in the Granat prospect of the North Sea, with partners Petoro and OMV Norge holding stakes. - Reuters
US refiner Valero to import up to 6.5 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in March:
Valero Energy plans to import up to 6.5 million barrels of Venezuelan crude in March, potentially becoming the top U.S. refiner of Venezuelan oil since sanctions eased. - Reuters
China to implement zero tariffs on imports from 53 African countries:
China will implement zero tariffs on imports from 53 African countries starting May 1, 2026, to boost trade and market access. - Reuters
Vitol backs proposed $3 billion LNG power plant for South Africa’s Durban port:
Vitol is backing a $3 billion gas-fired power and LNG import project at Durban port to support South Africa’s shift from coal to gas. - Reuters
Spain’s Repsol appoints new global head of trading:
Spanish energy company Repsol has appointed Juan Romero as its new global head of trading, replacing the retired Jose Antonio Correa. - Reuters
Indices, Commodities & Currencies
The table below depicts that the Global equities were mixed, with the S&P 500 and Euro Stoxx 50 edging higher while the Nasdaq 100, Russell 2000, and Nikkei 225 posted declines, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Energy prices strengthened as WTI and Brent crude advanced, while metals broadly weakened with declines in gold, silver, platinum, and copper; soft commodities showed mixed performance. The U.S. dollar firmed slightly against major peers, commodities-linked currencies were mostly stable to positive, and natural gas recorded a notable drop despite broader resilience across energy markets.
Fixed Income (USA Bonds)
Conclusion
Investors should watch for sustained disinflation trends and their implications for monetary policy, bond yields, and equity sector rotation within Nigeria. Increased infrastructure financing and diaspora capital mobilisation could support banking, industrial, and energy-linked equities. Globally, evolving energy supply chains, tariff adjustments, and LNG investments may drive volatility in oil prices, emerging market trade flows, and currency movements presenting both risk and selective opportunity in the sessions ahead.
Thanks for reading Ranora Consulting! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.