Popoola says NGX to mobilise capital for FG’s agenda

Temi Popoola, chief executive officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has affirmed that the Exchange is fully poised to lend its support to the Federal Government’s objectives.

NGX aims to achieve this by mobilising capital, which, as he put it, “will address government challenges and foster wealth creation for Nigerians.”

This assertion comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s ceremonial ringing of the Closing Bell at NASDAQ Exchange in New York last week, marking a significant moment in the NGX International Non-Deal Roadshow supported by Stanbic IBTC, CardinalStone Partners, and Chapel Hill Denham.

Popoola, speaking on the sidelines of the Roadshow to BBC in London, highlighted the privatization initiatives in the telecommunications sector as a compelling illustration of this concept. He pointed out that President Tinubu’s administration, presently engaged in tax reforms to boost revenue, can harness the potential of the capital market to create value and simultaneously achieve its objectives while delivering returns to investors.

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As part of ongoing endeavours to attract foreign investors to the Nigerian economy, Wale Edun, minister of finance and the coordinating minister of the economy, ceremonially rang the Opening Bell at the London Stock Exchange on Monday, September 25, 2023 to spotlight the London arm of the Roadshow. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, foreign investment in Nigeria has experienced a significant decline, mirroring the trend observed in other emerging economies during the same period.

“What we are trying to achieve is to emphasise to investors that Nigeria is open for business and also reinforce that the enormity of the challenges are clear and work has begun to address all the issues. Whether capital inflows or foreign exchange illiquidity, NGX remains a veritable platform for solving these economic challenges,” the NGX CEO added.

According to Popoola, encouraging listings can also address government’s problems including tax revenues, and create value for shareholders as listed companies have better governance and are more accountable with tax payment.