Business
Nigeria’s foreign reserves hit $40bn as CBN strengthens forex market
Nigeria’s foreign reserves have surpassed the $40 billion mark for the first time in nearly three years, marking a significant milestone in the country’s economic recovery efforts.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, made this disclosure during a high-level meeting with Talal Al-Humond, Assistant Governor for Monetary Affairs at the Saudi Arabian Central Bank (SAMA), on the sidelines of the just-concluded inaugural Conference on Emerging Market Economies in Riyadh.
According to a statement from the CBN on Monday, “Governor Cardoso reported that the country’s foreign reserves had exceeded $40 billion, marking the highest level in nearly three years.”
Cardoso attributed the rise in foreign reserves to key reforms introduced by the apex bank.
These include the adoption of an electronic matching system to enhance transparency in the foreign exchange market and the introduction of a foreign exchange code of ethics.
The code, which all Nigerian banks have signed, aims to ensure strict adherence to market rules, thereby fostering confidence among investors and market participants.
He also highlighted the adoption of an electronic matching system to improve transparency in the market and the introduction of a foreign exchange code of ethics, which all Nigerian banks signed to ensure adherence to market rules. As a result of these measures”, the statement said
At the conference, which was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Office, Cardoso advocated for stronger economic ties between Nigeria and the Middle East.
He noted that Nigeria could learn valuable lessons from Saudi Arabia’s approach to infrastructural development, economic diversification, and tourism investment.
As part of efforts to boost Nigeria’s economic position, the CBN Governor reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Nigerian diaspora community in the Middle East.
He stressed that increased remittance flows from Nigerians abroad would play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s financial sector.
According to Cardoso, “the CBN will continue implementing policies that enhance macroeconomic stability, promote private sector growth, and create high-quality jobs.”
He also noted Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation efforts, particularly its investments in environmental sustainability and large-scale economic projects, as areas from which Nigeria could draw inspiration.
In response, Mr. Talal Al-Humond assured Cardoso that the Saudi Arabian Central Bank was open to collaboration with the CBN to achieve mutually beneficial economic objectives.
Business
TIME Names Moniepoint CTO Felix Ike Among 50 Global Executives of the Year
In its citation, TIME said Ike “has helped to establish the business as one of Africa’s leading financial platforms.
TIME magazine has named Felix Ike, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Nigerian fintech Moniepoint, to its inaugural Executives of the Year: Tech and Data list.
Ike is the only executive representing an African company among the 50 leaders selected for the 2026 list.
The list, unveiled on Tuesday, September 22, recognises chief information officers, chief technology officers, chief data officers and chief product officers whose decisions are shaping how major organisations deploy technology and use data.
Moniepoint is also the only African company represented on the inaugural list.
Ike was named alongside executives from Netflix, CrowdStrike, Dell, Duolingo, AT&T, OpenAI, Anthropic, Shopify and Reddit, among others.
In its citation, TIME said Ike “has helped to establish the business as one of Africa’s leading financial platforms.
“The recognition follows Moniepoint’s inclusion in TIME’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential Companies, giving the Lagos-founded fintech another global distinction.
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Business
Djibouti, Ethiopia and Dangote to build $660 million petroleum pipeline
In Kenya, Dangote and the government are due to break ground on a new 700,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery in Lamu next week.
Ethiopia, Djibouti and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote plan to build a $660 million refined petroleum pipeline that will connect Ethiopia and Djibouti, a spokesperson in Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said on Thursday.
The project will include a 120-km (75-mile) pipeline, as well as approximately 375,000 cubic metres of storage capacity at Damerjog in Djibouti and 800,000 cubic metres at Dewele in Ethiopia, the spokesperson told Reuters, adding it should become operational within 18 months.
Abiy said on his X account the project will be developed through a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group, which separately is already building a $4 billion fertiliser pipeline and power plant, and a polypropylene packaging facility, in Ethiopia.
The project aims to reduce logistics costs and delays along the Ethiopia-Djibouti transport corridor, Abiy said.
Developers say the infrastructure will strengthen energy security and improve supply chain resilience for the two countries, he said.
Abiy is on a visit to Djibouti and made the announcement alongside its president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, and Dangote.
In Kenya, Dangote and the government are due to break ground on a new 700,000-barrel-per-day crude oil refinery in Lamu next week.
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