Think Thursday - Nigeria’s Industrial and Financial Expansion Amid Shifting Global Macro Conditions
Ranora Daily - Your daily source for reliable market analysis and news.
Market Overview
Good evening and welcome to today’s market briefing, where Nigeria’s growth ambitions take centre stage amid key corporate investments, regulatory developments, and sector-wide policy debates. Highlights include major capacity expansions in cement and fertiliser, rising competition in broadband, and continued regional banking expansion. Globally, monetary policy adjustments, energy market shifts, and labour data provide important context for risk sentiment and capital flows.
Nigerian News & Market Update
NMDPRA—Nigeria to begin exporting urea in 2028 :
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says Nigeria plans to start exporting urea and fertiliser by 2028, driven by major private-sector investments like Indorama and Dangote. - Punch
BUA Cement Signs $240million Deal With CBMI For Sokoto Line 6:
BUA Cement signed a $240million deal with China’s CBMI to build a new 3m-ton-per-year cement line in Sokoto, boosting its total capacity to 20m tons annually. - Leadership
NCC licences 6 new internet providers as competition heats up:
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has licensed six new Internet Service Provider (ISP) from January 2026 including Amazon Kuiper raising total authorised providers to 231 and intensifying competition with telcos and Starlink in Nigeria’s broadband market. - TheSun
Zenith gets Kenyan nod for full takeover of Paramount Bank, bolsters East Africa reach:
Zenith Bank has secured Kenyan regulatory approval to fully acquire Paramount Bank, strengthening its expansion into East Africa while keeping all 78 staff for at least 12 months. - BusinessDay
Sugar tax threatens manufacturing sector — CPPE:
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) warned that introducing a sugar tax on sweetened drinks could hurt Nigeria’s manufacturing sector by increasing costs, reducing jobs and investment, and worsening an already heavy tax burden on beverage companies. - DailyTrust
Nigeria Sectoral Indices Performance
The table below shows that the Nigerian equities closed broadly lower on the day, with all major indices posting losses, led by Insurance, Banking, and Consumer Goods stocks. Despite short-term weakness, market performance remains positive across longer horizons, with Oil & Gas, Insurance, and Consumer Goods leading strong MTD, QTD, and YTD gains. Overall, the trend suggests near-term profit-taking amid sustained bullish momentum and solid sectoral returns year-to-date.
Fixed Income (FGN Bonds)
Global News & Market Update
Vitol prepares fuel oil exports from Venezuela:
Vitol is preparing to export Venezuelan fuel oil from PDVSA terminals as new U.S. licences accelerate a major supply deal and the return of Venezuelan oil to global markets. - Reuters
Turkey makes smaller than expected rate cut on stubborn inflation concerns:
Turkey’s central bank cut its key rate by a smaller-than-expected 100 basis points to 37%, citing stubborn inflation risks despite ongoing easing since last year. - Reuters
China’s December youth jobless rate drops to 16.5%:
China’s December youth unemployment (ages 16–24, excluding students) eased to 16.5%, while joblessness also fell for 25–29 year-olds but rose slightly for 30–59 year-olds. - Reuters
Energy park developer Hecate to go public in $1.2 billion SPAC deal:
Hecate Energy will go public in the U.S. via a $1.2 billion SPAC deal with EGH Acquisition, aiming to expand its renewable and thermal energy projects. - Reuters
Indices, Commodities & Currencies
The table below depicts that the Global equities closed broadly higher, with strong gains across U.S. indices (DJIA, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100) and Europe (DAX, Euro Stoxx 50), while volatility (VIX) declined. Energy markets were mixed as oil prices (WTI and Brent) fell, offset by a sharp surge in natural gas, while metals remained firm with gains in gold, silver, platinum and copper. In currencies, the U.S. dollar softened slightly against major peers, while commodities and grains showed mixed performance, reflecting selective risk appetite across markets.
Fixed Income (USA Bonds)
Events
Conclusion
Looking ahead, Nigerian markets are likely to balance optimism from long-term capacity expansion and cross-border banking growth against near-term policy and cost pressures, particularly in manufacturing. Fixed income and equity investors should remain alert to regulatory changes, fiscal measures, and infrastructure-led growth themes. Globally, easing cycles, energy supply developments, and emerging market policy signals may continue to drive volatility and selective opportunities.
Thanks for reading Ranora Consulting! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.