Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria has outlined key priorities for driving inclusive economic growth, while projecting Nigeria’s gross domestic product to expand by between 4.3 percent and 4.4 percent in 2026.
The bank said stabilising the naira, taming inflation, improving infrastructure, and ensuring that government policies translate into tangible benefits for citizens will be critical to sustaining growth.
According to the bank, achieving these objectives will require strong fiscal discipline, effective monetary policy, and comprehensive structural reforms that support long-term economic resilience.
The bank recently hosted its 2026 Global Market Outlook event in Lagos, bringing together clients, industry experts, and market stakeholders to examine global financial trends and their implications for Nigeria’s economy and investment environment in 2026. The well-attended event served as a platform for discussions on navigating market volatility and positioning portfolios for sustainable wealth creation.
Speakers at the event included Manpreet Gill, chief investment officer for Africa, the Middle East, and Europe; Lanre Olajide, head of Wealth and Retail Banking, Nigeria; Ernest Adejumo, head of Wealth Solutions; Uche Ugboh, head of Treasury Markets; and Chima Eboh, head of Affluent Banking and Branches. They delivered insights on global market trends, economic shifts, and evolving wealth-building strategies, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session that offered participants practical perspectives on opportunities and risks in the year ahead.
Speaking on the implications of the global outlook for Nigeria and investment positioning, Gill said clients took away three key messages from the bank’s 2026 Global Market Outlook: staying overweight equities, continuing to generate attractive yields through diversified bond exposure, and, most importantly, maintaining diversification both within equities and across asset classes amid valuation pressures and persistent uncertainty.
Ernest Adejumo said the outlook underscored the importance of discipline and diversification in an increasingly complex global environment. He noted that while short-term volatility may persist, investors who focus on long-term fundamentals, quality assets, and informed, advisory-led portfolio construction are better placed to navigate uncertainty and capture emerging opportunities.
According to Adejumo, the Global Market Outlook reinforced a central message for investors that clarity comes from context rather than market noise. He said understanding the global forces shaping growth, inflation, and interest rates allows clients to make more confident and timely investment decisions, with an emphasis on preparing portfolios through diversification and discipline rather than attempting to predict market movements.
The event hosted over 1,200 clients across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt and concluded with a networking lunch with members of the bank’s management team.
On the broader economic outlook, Standard Chartered said Nigeria’s growth prospects for 2026 remain cautiously optimistic. The projected expansion of 4.3–4.4 percent is expected to be driven largely by the services sector, particularly information and communications technology and financial services, alongside a potential recovery in the oil sector. The bank added that efforts to diversify government revenue sources beyond oil are ongoing.
However, it noted that challenges remain, including elevated inflation, fiscal pressures, and persistent poverty, which could continue despite reforms aimed at promoting inclusive growth. Addressing these issues, the bank said, will depend on stabilising the naira, effectively managing inflation, upgrading infrastructure, and ensuring that economic policies deliver measurable improvements in living standards.
Standard Chartered said it remains optimistic about Nigeria’s long-term economic potential, emphasising the role of sustainable reforms, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation in driving growth across Nigeria and Africa. By aligning global investment themes with regional strengths, the bank said it is well-positioned to support clients and communities in achieving their financial goals in 2026 and beyond.
