NGX Group Wins Africa’s Best Exchange Award As Market Turnover Hits ₦7.82 Trillion

NGX Group Wins Africa’s Best Exchange Award as Market Turnover Hits ₦7.82 Trillion Nigerian Exchange Group Plc NGX Group has been named Africa’s Best Exchange at the Euromoney Markets Awards 2026, in recognition of its contributions to market infrastructure, digital innovation and capital formation. The award was presented at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London on October 15, 2026, recognising the development of Nigeria’s capital market and the Group’s efforts to expand access to investment opportunities.

The recognition comes as trading activity on the Nigerian equities market continues to increase, with turnover reaching ₦7.82 trillion as of October 16, 2026, representing a 73.78 per cent rise from the ₦4.50 trillion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. The performance highlights the growth in market activity and the increasing role of digital platforms in connecting investors with capital-raising opportunities. The Euromoney Markets Awards recognise organisations that contribute to the development of financial markets through infrastructure, trading platforms, technology and systems that enable market participants to operate efficiently. According to NGX Group, the award reflects its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capital-market infrastructure, improve market access and support businesses seeking to raise funds for expansion and investment. The Group has pursued initiatives aimed at improving trading efficiency, broadening investor participation and facilitating capital formation across different sectors of the economy. Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, said the recognition reflected the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the infrastructure and technology that support investment and capital formation. Popoola expressed appreciation to regulators, policymakers, listed companies, investors, stockbrokers and other market participants for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian capital market.He said the Group would continue working to widen digital access to investment opportunities, improve market efficiency and strengthen connections with other African markets. According to him, the objective is to make Nigeria’s capital market more accessible, resilient and competitive while expanding its capacity to mobilise funds for businesses. Nigeria’s equities market has recorded substantial growth in trading activity, with turnover increasing significantly in 2025 and continuing its upward trajectory in 2026. Data from NGX Group showed that equities turnover rose by 109.48 per cent to ₦5.96 trillion in 2025. During the same period, the NGX All-Share Index gained 51.19 per cent, while market capitalisation reached ₦99.38 trillion. The positive trend continued into 2026. As of October 16, the All-Share Index had gained 59.07 per cent year-to-date, while equities turnover reached ₦7.82 trillion. The turnover represented a 73.78 per cent increase compared with the ₦4.50 trillion recorded during the corresponding period of 2025. Market capitalisation also climbed to ₦160.73 trillion, reflecting the increased aggregate value of listed equities. However, turnover measures the value of shares traded during a period, while market capitalisation represents the market value of listed shares. Neither figure, on its own, measures the amount of new capital raised by companies or guarantees investment returns A major contributor to the Group’s efforts to broaden participation in the primary market is NGX Invest, its electronic platform for public offers and rights issues. The platform is designed to simplify the process through which investors subscribe to securities issued by companies seeking to raise capital. NGX Invest played a significant role in Nigeria’s banking-sector recapitalisation exercise, facilitating more than ₦2.8 trillion in capital raising. The recapitalisation exercise required banks to strengthen their capital bases in line with regulatory requirements, creating opportunities for institutions to raise funds from existing shareholders and the wider investing public. By September 2026, NGX Invest had expanded its distribution network to more than 180 channels, including stockbrokers, banks and fintech companies.

The introduction of a WhatsApp subscription channel also provided investors with an additional means of participating in public offers.

The expansion of digital access is intended to make investment processes more convenient and potentially reach investors who might otherwise face difficulties accessing traditional investment channels. NGX Group has continued to prioritise technology as part of its strategy to improve the efficiency and accessibility of Nigeria’s capital market. Digital investment platforms can help streamline subscription processes, reduce administrative barriers and connect investors with companies seeking funds. Broader participation in public offers and rights issues may also help companies diversify their sources of financing beyond conventional bank lending. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of digital investment channels depends on investor awareness, reliable technology, appropriate regulatory safeguards and access to accurate information about investment risks. Market participants also need to distinguish between easier access to investment opportunities and the likelihood of making a profit, as equities remain subject to market fluctuations. The Group’s digital initiatives form part of a wider effort to modernise capital-market operations and attract greater participation from retail and institutional investors.Beyond trading and digital investment platforms, NGX Group has also pursued initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable finance and climate-related investment. One of these is the NGX Net-Zero Programme, also known as N-Zero, implemented in partnership with DEG Impulse gGmbH and Africa Foresight Group, with support through DEG Impulse’s develoPPP programme. The initiative is designed to help Nigerian businesses improve their climate readiness, establish science-based emissions-reduction targets and develop transition plans. Such measures can help businesses prepare for changing environmental standards and explore access to climate-aligned financing. The programme reflects growing attention to environmental, social and governance considerations in investment decisions, as companies and financial institutions assess climate-related risks and opportunities. NGX Group said it would continue strengthening its market infrastructure and building connections with other African exchanges to improve cross-border investment opportunities. Greater cooperation among African capital markets could help investors access opportunities beyond their domestic markets while giving businesses additional channels for raising capital. For Nigeria, improved market infrastructure and wider participation could support the financing of businesses, infrastructure and other productive economic activities. The Group’s recognition at the Euromoney Markets Awards comes amid increased market turnover and rising equity-market capitalisation in 2026. While the award recognises the Group’s contribution to market development, the long-term impact will depend on its ability to sustain efficient operations, attract investors, support capital raising and deepen participation in Nigeria’s financial markets.