PwC Nigeria has projected that Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product growth in 2026 would settle around 4.3 per cent.

This was disclosed in a statement shared with The PUNCH on Wednesday following the release of its 2026 Economic Outlook.

This projection broadly aligns with that of the World Bank, which, in its latest Africa’s Pulse report, anticipates that Nigeria’s economic growth will strengthen to 4.4 per cent between 2026 and 2027, driven by higher activity in ICT, finance, and real estate.

“Looking ahead, the outlook projects real GDP growth of about 4.3 per cent in 2026, with inflation moderating gradually and the naira remaining broadly stable. Fiscal constraints persist, reinforcing the importance of capital efficiency and balance-sheet discipline.

“Against this backdrop, PwC Nigeria highlights practical imperatives for business leaders in 2026: making selective investment bets in attractive sectors and regions, scenario-planning for macroeconomic and geopolitical shocks, adapting business models and cost structures for resilience, accelerating digital transformation and responsible AI adoption, and strengthening regulatory and tax compliance as reforms move from design to execution,” the statement read.

Also, PwC Nigeria’s 2026 Economic Outlook asserted that recent gains in macroeconomic stability are reshaping the operating environment for businesses, investors, and markets.

The report indicated that Nigeria recorded improvements in macroeconomic stability in 2025 following key monetary and foreign-exchange reforms, with inflation easing, exchange-rate conditions stabilising, and external reserves strengthening. PwC’s Economic Outlook 2026 highlighted how this stability is influencing strategic business choices in 2026, particularly around investment, cost and funding decisions, and regulatory, tax, and digital priorities.

Commenting on the report, the Country Senior Partner, PwC Nigeria, Sam Abu, said, “PwC Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2026 provides forward-looking analysis of key macroeconomic indicators and what they signal for the economy and for business leaders. Nigeria has achieved improved macroeconomic stability over the past year. The focus now is on how that stability is translated into sustainable economic growth and how businesses position themselves for 2026. For companies, this stability provides a more predictable operating environment for planning, investment, and growth decisions.”

The Economic Outlook 2026 also identified seven key issues shaping Nigeria’s economic performance in the year ahead, spanning global and domestic forces. These include monetary policy effectiveness, fiscal sustainability and reform execution, global economic and geopolitical dynamics, domestic security and social pressures, uneven sectoral growth, consumer affordability constraints, and the expanding role of the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Speaking on the outlook, Partner and Chief Economist, PwC Nigeria, Olusegun Zaccheaus said, “The seven themes in the Outlook show how global and domestic forces will shape economic performance in 2026. Globally, growth is projected at around 3.1%, while merchandise trade growth slows to about 0.5 per cent, keeping oil prices, capital flows, and access to foreign inflows as key channels influencing Nigeria’s growth and FX liquidity.

SIFAX Group has opened the 2026 business year with a strong declaration of intent.

This comes as the company rolled out an innovation-led growth strategy designed to enhance operations, accelerate technology adoption, and broaden its presence across West Africa.

SIFAX announced this in a statement on Tuesday, signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, Olumuyiwa Akande.

According to the statement, the Chairman of the Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, made this known in his New Year message to employees, partners, and stakeholders, where he outlined the company’s strategic priorities for the year while reflecting on a strong performance in 2025.

According to Afolabi, the Group’s focus for 2026 is anchored on “growth through innovation”, with renewed emphasis on operational excellence, collaboration across subsidiaries, sustainability, and customer-centric service delivery.

He noted that SIFAX Group is positioning itself to respond proactively to industry changes and emerging opportunities across its diverse business portfolio.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Port Command, has stated that it collected a total of N2.93tn as revenue in 2025, representing an increase of N573.2bn compared to the N2.35tn collected in 2024, a 24.3 per cent growth.

“The command collected a total of N2.93tn as revenue in 2025, recording an impressive increase of N573.2bn when compared to N2.35tn collected in 2024, representing a 24.32 per cent growth. The performance reinforces Apapa Command’s position as the nation’s leading revenue hub,” the statement read in part.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Emmanuel Oshoba, attributed the achievement to effective leadership, disciplined manpower, and the strategic deployment of technology under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

He also commended compliant stakeholders whose lawful trade practices contributed significantly to the revenue growth.

“A major contributor to the success was the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu, which enhanced transparency, efficiency, and accountability in cargo clearance processes. Regular performance reviews and timely revenue recovery measures further strengthened collections,” Oshoba stated.

According to Oshoba, in the area of trade facilitation, the command intensified stakeholder sensitisation following the rollout of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme and expanded the One-Stop Shop initiative to ensure faster processing and release of compliant cargoes.

“Efforts are also at an advanced stage to deploy the FS6000 cargo scanning system, a non-intrusive technology capable of scanning up to 200 containers per hour,” he added.

Oshoba highlighted that the command also recorded enforcement successes, intercepting 53 containers laden with illicit drugs and prohibited items, including cocaine, Canadian loud, tramadol, and expired pharmaceuticals with a duty paid value of N12.6bn.

He added that some of the interceptions in the year 2025 were handed over to relevant agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Oshoba expressed optimism that the command would achieve greater revenue milestones in 2026, driven by deeper implementation of B’Odogwu, AEO, and OSS, stronger intelligence-led enforcement, and expanded collaboration with sister agencies.

He assured stakeholders of enhanced engagement with terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, haulage operators, and the media to promote transparency, compliance, and seamless trade at the nation’s busiest port.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, said that from January to December 2025, it collected a total of N15.5bn as revenue, marking a remarkable 117 per cent increase when compared with the N7.1bn collected by the command in 2024.

Announcing this in a statement on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Tunde Ayagbalo, stressed that the command recorded unprecedented revenue milestones in 2025, achieving its highest-ever monthly and annual revenue collections since inception.

Ayagbalo stated that in December 2025 alone, the command collected a historic N3.6bn, “the highest monthly revenue on record.”

He added that the record is attributed to the effective rollout of the One-Stop Shop Initiative by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which improves the command’s coordination and trade facilitation for stakeholders.

“From January to December 2025, the command generated a total of N15.5bn only, showing a remarkable 117 per cent increase when compared to N7.1bn recorded in 2024,” Ayagbalo said.

The command’s PRO added that the command also maintained robust anti-smuggling operations, in December 2025, intercepting “685 parcels of cannabis sativa, 495 packs of tramadol, and 2,000 packs of Super Power sildenafil tablets, an excessively high-dosage sexual enhancement drug, through intelligence-led operations, enhanced patrols, risk profiling, and inter-agency collaboration.”

Ayagbalo reiterated that in alignment with the CGC’s directive, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Seme Command, Wale Adenuga, has successfully reduced checkpoints along the Lagos–Abidjan corridor to the two locations approved by the Federal Government, significantly easing legitimate trade, minimising delays, and contributing to the command’s outstanding revenue performance.

Speaking on the achievement, the CAC, Wale Adenuga, warned smugglers that the Seme borders are no longer safe for illicit activities.

“With advanced intelligence, technology, and unwavering vigilance, the officers and men of the command will intercept and prosecute offenders,” he warned.

The Nigerian Exchange extended its positive momentum in the new trading year on Tuesday, as sustained buying interest across key stocks lifted total market capitalisation by about N468bn, reinforcing investor optimism and consolidating the market’s position above the N100tn milestone.

At the close of trading, total equities market capitalisation rose to N102.28tn from N101.81tn recorded in the previous session, reflecting a 0.46 per cent increase in market value within one trading day. The gain underscores continued bullish sentiment following the strong opening to the 2026 trading year.

The All-Share Index advanced by 0.46 per cent, adding 732.86 points to close at 159,951.08 points, compared with 159,218.22 points on Monday. The performance pushed the market’s year-to-date return to 2.79 per cent, highlighting a firm start to the year amid renewed portfolio positioning by investors.

Market activity showed notable improvement, with a total of 758.93m shares exchanged in 54,199 deals, valued at N19.83bn. Compared with the previous trading day, trading volume increased by 9 per cent, while turnover rose by seven per cent, despite a four per cent decline in the number of deals executed.

The increase in volume and value points to stronger participation by investors, particularly in actively traded stocks, even as transactions were concentrated in fewer but larger trades.

In aggregate, 130 listed equities participated in trading during the session. Market breadth closed positive, with 65 gainers against 21 losers, indicating broad investor participation and a generally upbeat sentiment across the market.

Meyer Plc topped the gainers’ chart, appreciating by the maximum 10 per cent to close at N14.30 per share. Jaiz Bank Plc followed with a 10 per cent gain, while Associated Bus Company Plc rose by 9.98 per cent. Multiverse Mining and Exploration Plc also posted strong performance, advancing by 9.94 per cent.

On the losing side, Aluminium Extrusion Industries Plc recorded the steepest decline, shedding 9.96 per cent to close at N21.70 per share. Learn Africa Plc fell by 9.16 per cent, and Oando Plc declined by 7.69 per cent, while United Bank for Africa Plc lost 6.22 per cent.

Trading by volume was led by Linkage Assurance Plc, which recorded 51.6m shares traded. Sterling Bank Plc followed with 49.1m shares, while Access Holdings Plc and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc recorded volumes of 48.7m and 34.7m shares, respectively.

Market performance during the session was driven largely by activity in heavyweight stocks, including MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Access Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, and United Bank for Africa Plc, which together accounted for a significant share of market turnover and index movement.

Overall, the equities market closed the session bullish, extending the early-year rally and keeping total market capitalisation comfortably above N100tn. Analysts note that the sustained gains reflect renewed investor confidence, selective bargain hunting, and positioning ahead of expected corporate earnings releases and macroeconomic developments.

Meanwhile, broader market indicators remained supportive. At the close of trading, Brent crude oil traded at $61.82 per barrel, while gold stood at $4,418.82 per ounce on the international commodities market, providing additional context for global risk sentiment.

With market capitalisation now at N102.28tn and trading activity strengthening, the NGX appears set to maintain positive momentum in the early days of 2026, barring any adverse macroeconomic or policy shocks.

Fidelity Bank Plc has raised N259bn through a Private Placement of ordinary shares, significantly boosting its capital base as the lender intensifies efforts to meet the new regulatory capital requirements for commercial banks with international authorisation.

In a statement issued on the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday, the bank said the Private Placement was conducted following approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission and was successfully opened and closed on 31 December 2025.

“Fidelity Bank Plc is pleased to inform the general public that, following approvals granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission, it successfully opened and closed a Private Placement of ordinary shares on 31 December 2025,” the bank said.

According to the statement, the exercise resulted in the bank raising N259bn, which increased its eligible capital from N305.5bn to N564.5bn, subject to final regulatory approvals.

“This exercise resulted in the bank raising N259bn, increasing its eligible capital from N305.5bn to N564.5bn, awaiting regulatory approvals,” the statement added.

The bank explained that the Private Placement was carried out pursuant to the authority granted by shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on 6 February 2025, where approval was given for the issuance of up to 20bn ordinary shares.

“The Private Placement was conducted pursuant to the authorisation received from the Bank’s shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting of 6 February 2025, to issue up to 20bn Ordinary Shares by way of Private Placement,” Fidelity Bank stated.

The latest capital raise forms part of the lender’s broader recapitalisation programme aimed at meeting the new minimum capital threshold of N500bn set by regulators for commercial banks with international licences.

The bank recalled that it had previously raised N175.85bn through a Public Offer and Rights Issue in 2024, which lifted its eligible capital to N305.5bn at the time.

“The Bank had previously raised N175.85bn through a Public Offer and Rights Issue in 2024, bringing its eligible capital to N305.5bn,” the statement added.

Following the completion of the Private Placement, Fidelity Bank said it has now surpassed the N500bn regulatory requirement, with a buffer above the minimum threshold.

“This left a margin of N194.5bn to meet the new regulatory capital requirement of N500bn for commercial banks with international authorisation,” the bank added.

Industry analysts say the successful completion of the Private Placement positions Fidelity Bank strongly ahead of regulatory deadlines and reflects sustained investor confidence in the lender’s growth strategy, balance sheet strength and long-term outlook.

With eligible capital now standing at N564.5bn, Fidelity Bank joins the growing list of Nigerian lenders that have made significant progress in the ongoing banking sector recapitalisation exercise, as regulators push for stronger, more resilient financial institutions capable of supporting economic growth.