Business
Dangote Forecasts Major Naira Appreciation to ₦1,100 per Dollar in 2026
Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday projected a significant strengthening of the Nigerian naira, forecasting it could rally to as low as ₦1,100 per US dollar within 2026, driven by government reforms, import restrictions, and increased local production.
Speaking at the official launch of the National Industrial Policy 2025 in Abuja, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries, Dangote expressed optimism about the currency’s trajectory amid ongoing economic measures.
“Today, the dollar is N1,340. Mr Vice-President, I can assure you that, with what I know, by blocking all this importation and so on, the naira this year will be as low as N1,100 if we are lucky,” Dangote stated, according to multiple reports from the event.
He attributed the potential appreciation to reduced foreign exchange demand from imports, as local manufacturing ramps up including contributions from his own Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is scaling toward full capacity. Dangote praised recent policy directions for beginning to yield positive results, noting that manufacturers are increasingly optimistic.
The forecast comes as the naira has shown signs of stabilization in recent weeks, trading around ₦1,300–₦1,340 to the dollar in official and parallel markets, a marked improvement from higher levels earlier in the year.
Dangote suggested that sustained import controls and industrial growth could push the currency even further, potentially toward ₦1,000 per dollar under ideal conditions, though he cautioned that policy consistency would be key.
The remarks align with broader optimism in some quarters, including from billionaire Femi Otedola, who recently projected the naira could trade below ₦1,000/$ before year-end, largely crediting the Dangote Refinery’s role in cutting dollar outflows for fuel imports.
Dangote also highlighted challenges, emphasizing the need for reliable power supply and continued government incentives to support industrial expansion and sustain the projected currency rally.
Analysts view the prediction as bullish but contingent on factors like forex policy enforcement, oil revenues, and global commodity prices.
The naira’s performance has been volatile in recent years due to external pressures and domestic structural issues, but recent CBN interventions and refinery developments have fueled renewed confidence among investors.
The statement has sparked discussions on social media and economic forums, with many welcoming the positive outlook while others call for concrete actions to realize such gains for everyday Nigerians facing inflation and import costs.
Business
Enugu Air Begins London Gatwick flights From December 10, 2026
The Enugu State-owned airline will use an Airbus A330-200 leased from Portugal-based EuroAtlantic under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) arrangement.
Enugu Air will begin direct flights to London Gatwick on December 10, 2026, with four services weekly.
Tickets are already available for booking.
The Enugu State-owned airline will use an Airbus A330-200 leased from Portugal-based EuroAtlantic under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) arrangement.
The service is being delivered through a strategic partnership with Omni-Blu Aviation (OBA).
The airline said the service will improve international travel connectivity for passengers departing from Lagos, Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.
Passengers from Enugu will be able to begin their international journey to London from their home airport, Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
The four weekly flights are expected to give travellers greater flexibility between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Enugu Air Chief Executive Officer Captain Tolu Ita said: “The commencement of our London Gatwick service reflects our commitment to expanding international connectivity and the vision of His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, to connect Enugu to more opportunities across the world.”
He added: “Of particular importance is ensuring that passengers from Enugu can begin their international journey to London from their home airport, Akanu Ibiam International Airport. We are proud to make the journey from Enugu to London Gatwick a reality for our passengers.”
BLACK/ PARALLEL MARKET RATES
₦1400DOLLAR (USD)
₦1830POUND (GBP)
₦1515 EURO (EUR)
₦950 CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD)
₦70 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR)
₦350 UAE DIRHAM (AED
₦190 Chinese YUAN (CNY)
₦100 Ghanaian CEDI (GHS)
West African CFA ₦2240 (XOF)
Central African CFA ₦2180 (XAF)
₦820 Australian Dollar AUSSIE (AUD)
Business
NNPCL wants to sell 10% equity via IPO on NGX, LSE
NNPC is expected to spend at least the whole of 2027 preparing for the proposed offering, with the listing primarily intended to strengthen corporate transparency and governance in line with Nigerian law.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) is considering selling between 5% and 10% of its equity through a potential initial public offering (IPO), with the proposed listing expected to focus primarily on Nigeria’s domestic capital market.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, adding that the company could also pursue a secondary listing in London or New York.
The disclosure comes shortly after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s IPO closed on October 27, following a two-week extension of its subscription period from the initial October 13 deadline.
NNPC is expected to spend at least the whole of 2027 preparing for the proposed offering, with the listing primarily intended to strengthen corporate transparency and governance in line with Nigerian law.
Ojulari indicated that raising additional capital would be a secondary consideration rather than the main reason for going public.
The company is also considering listing some of its subsidiaries separately, following a model adopted by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned oil company.
Beyond the potential IPO, Ojulari disclosed that Chinese companies have expressed interest in acquiring equity stakes in some of NNPC’s smaller refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt and Warri facilities, which require substantial rehabilitation.
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