The Nigerian Exchange Group and the Securities and Exchange Commission have restated their commitment to enhancing capital market collaboration with China as part of efforts to attract cross-border investments into Nigeria.

This was showcased during the China-Africa CEO Dialogue, held alongside the 4th China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha. The event was organised by Choice International Group in partnership with NGX Group.

Speaking at the dialogue, Group Managing Director and CEO of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, reaffirmed the Exchange’s commitment to fostering cross-border partnerships aimed at unlocking fresh capital-raising opportunities for Chinese companies and boosting foreign investment into Nigeria’s real sector.

“Deepening capital market partnerships is key to unlocking new investment corridors between Nigeria and China,” Popoola said.

He added, “We are actively engaging institutions like the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to create frameworks that allow Chinese corporates to raise capital locally, whether through bonds, commercial papers, or equity, while also reducing currency and operational risks.”

He noted that the capital market is essential to advancing bilateral trade, boosting manufacturing and ICT sectors, and leveraging the growing momentum in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

“Financial flows are often the missing link in many China-Africa engagements. “By opening these corridors, we are positioning Nigeria as a hub for cross-border investments and supporting the country’s economic diversification agenda,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to provide a transparent and secure investment environment that will boost investor confidence.

“Our job is not just to provide the framework but to assure investors that if they come to Nigeria, they’ll find justice when they need it,” Agama said. “Transparency and credibility are key to building investor confidence. While risk is inherent in every business, our role as regulators is to mitigate those risks and ensure a level playing field.”

Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, also praised the engagements in China, describing them as a key component of the Group’s wider strategy to position Nigeria as the premier investment gateway into Africa.

“At NGX Group, we believe the capital market is pivotal to unlocking Africa’s potential. Our engagement in China reflects our commitment to building bridges between Nigeria and key global markets to deliver long-term prosperity for our stakeholders,” he said.

The dialogue underscored the expanding role of capital markets in driving trade, technology transfer, and industrialisation between China and Nigeria. Both the NGX Group and the SEC reaffirmed their commitment to promoting capital market diplomacy as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and enhanced cross-border collaboration.