According to Bismarck Rewane, a managing director of Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) and an economist, Nigeria may be in its best economic position in over ten years as of 2026. Speaking at the recent Parthian Economic Discourse 2025 in Lagos, Rewane said that the nation will enter a new and longer-lasting cycle of growth thanks to decreasing inflation, more investment, significant company listings, and stabilizing monetary conditions. According to him, 2026 will be a pivotal year as structural changes, the growth of the private sector, and better policy coordination come together to reshape Africa’s greatest economy.According to Rewane, Nigeria is getting close to a time when economic fundamentals and reforms will finally support one another after years of skyrocketing inflation, severe exchange-rate distortions that caused the naira to lose about 70% of its value, and stifled investment. The capital market will reach N262 trillion. He projects that the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) will see a significant increase in market capitalization from N93 trillion to N262 trillion in 2026. He pointed out that this jump would put Nigeria among the emerging economies’ fastest-growing capital markets. He ascribed the anticipated surge to impending large listings like the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the Dangote Refinery, as well as robust profits in consumer products, banking, telecommunications, and cement.According to Rewane, core and food inflation would drop to about 20% in 2026. He attributes this prediction to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) strong disinflationary stance, growing local refining capacity, increased manufacturing output, increased productivity, and measures meant to reduce supply-chain and logistics costs. He claimed that a decrease in inflation would increase consumer spending power and stimulate demand in the retail, service, and industrial sectors. After almost two years of vigorous tightening, the economist predicts that cautious interest rate reduction will begin in 2026. He cautioned, nevertheless, that the CBN won’t lower rates unless it is persuaded of persistent disinflation, better liquidity management, larger reserves, and realistic budgetary restraint.According to Rewane, the naira will appreciate and level out between N1,450 and N1,500 per dollar in the upcoming year. He contended that increased oil production, better foreign exchange availability, growing reserves, decreased arbitrage, and moderated import demand as a result of trade and fiscal reforms will all contribute to this stabilization. He emphasized that long-term economic planning and investor confidence will depend heavily on foreign exchange stability. In order to maintain investor trust and increase market capitalization, Rewane identified MTN Nigeria and Dangote Cement as two top performers that are anticipated to report robust revenue and profit growth in 2026.
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