Titi Ogungbesan, the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, has revealed why foreign investments in Nigeria’s capital market is alarming.
In a chit-chat with newsmen in Abuja, Ogungbesan said perceived private sector challenges with regulators is responsible for foreign investment reduction. According to her, stifled consumer spending also led to more caution and the withdrawals by foreign portfolio investors in the market.
The Stanbic IBTC boss noted that since the country got out of recession in 2017, there had been a lot of optimism about the growth trajectory, but that the trajectory was stifled by external and internal headwinds last year.
She said
“Nigeria was affected by the emerging market sell-offs, which highlighted the risks of investing in emerging and frontier markets and caused foreign investors to be more cautious.
“The increase in the anchor rate by the Fed Reserve Bank also encouraged them to invest more in the United States, considering safety.
“The risk aversion typically associated with pre-election years has also been a factor. The continued challenge with the farmers/herdsmen clashes, perceived private sector challenges with regulators, and stifled consumer spending have also led to more caution and reduced foreign investment.”
Ogungbesan stated that opportunities abound in the country, adding that proper due diligence ought to be undertaken before investment. She maintained that investors should seek to partner credible local stakeholders that will assist them in achieving their objectives.
“With our experience, which spans several decades, we are willing and able to hold our clients’ and other prospective investors’ hands to guide them through the process.”
What Stanbic IBTC is doing to encourage capital market participation
Stanbic IBTC, according to Ogungbesan, has been working with corporates and other stakeholders to encourage more participation in the capital market, especially in the area of new listings such as initial public offerings, rights issues, mergers and acquisitions.
“We will continue to collaborate with regulators in developing new initiatives and products and also embrace technology to encourage financial inclusion,”
