How Does the Future of Nigeria's Capital Market Depend on Sustainable Recovery?

Monday, November 01, 2021 / 07:44 PM /ByNGX / Header Image Credit: NGX

Ournation is on course for a gradual financial recovery after the visceral impactof COVID-19 on commercial activities. According tothe National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), aggregate output, measured by GrossDomestic Product (GDP), grew by 1.87% in the first quarter of 2020 butcontracted by 6.10% and 3.62% in Q2 and Q3, respectively, before increasing by0.11% in Q4,2020. The report encouragescautious optimism from individuals and businesses alike as uncertainty stilllooms over Nigeria's economic future.

Asa firm advocate for transformational change in the capital market, the NGX hasfocused on adopting inventive strategies with financial empowerment andinclusion as the core objectives. Innovations such as the demutualisation,launch of the IPO portal, the launch of the Growth Board, market awareness forinnovative capital flows through sustainable and Islamic financing, ETFs,derivatives, etc. are critical focus areas for the growth of the Exchange, ledby Temi Popoola CFA, Chief Executive Officer at NGX.

Ifthere's one thing the pandemic accelerated, it is the need for the public andprivate sectors to pivot their operations to adapt with a certain kind ofagility attributed to leveraging innovative solutions towards securing a moresustainable future. With "business as usual" halted for well over ayear, we have had enough time to reflect on what needs to change to addresssome of the country's most pressing societal issues. Currently, the governmentis grappling with the problems of inflation (17.33%), unemployment (33.3%),burgeoning debt, and an infrastructure gap estimated at $3trn.

So,what would it take to steer the country in the right direction and create apositive change for its people? These are the questions of the flagship editionof the NGX Capital Market Conference slated for Tuesday,30 November, themed - Thefuture-ready capital market: Innovating for Nigeria's sustainablerecovery."

Theconference's objective is to bring together policy experts, business leaders,investors, international development partners, industry regulators, etc., toshare critical insights that would be the catalyst towards achieving economicgrowth for the country.

Theflagship edition of the NGX conference is another initiative under Temi'sleadership, which exemplifies the pivotal role he believes the capital markethas in promoting and democratising wealth generation for the country.