Economy
Nigeria’s Asset Under Management Grows 25% to N3.5trn—Agusto
By Adedapo Adesanya
Research and ratings agency, Agusto & Co., has estimated that Nigeria’s assets under management (AuM), as of the end of 2022, grew by 25 per cent to N3.5 trillion ($7.8 billion).
This makes Nigeria the third largest investment management zone in sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa and Morocco.
In a note shared with Business Post, it was stated that this growth was driven in part by increased investor confidence following the gradual rise in the yields offered on naira-denominated investments during the latter half of the year and growth in dollar-denominated portfolios as discerning Nigerians hedge against the persistent devaluation of the naira.
Nonetheless, despite Nigeria’s population estimate of 220 million people and the high foreign exchange remittance inflows from Nigerians living in the diaspora ($20.9 billion or N9.3 trillion in 2022), the asset management industry continues to underachieve.
The firm noted that the industry’s growth remains constrained by a large informal sector (estimated at 65 per cent of GDP), a high poverty rate of 40 per cent and limited investment opportunities offered by the Nigerian capital market.
It warned that the challenging operating environment in Nigeria has led to an erosion of real incomes and purchasing power, prompting a surge in investors’ inclination towards dollar-denominated assets.
“The escalation of the year-over-year inflation rate from 15.6 per cent in January 2022 to 21.37 per cent in December 2022 is indicative of an unfavourable macroeconomic climate. In addition, the parallel market exchange rate stood at N750/$ as of December 31, 2022, indicating a 63 per cent arbitrage from the official market rate and a 32 per cent depreciation from N570/$ recorded in the corresponding period of the prior year.”
According to Agusto, Naira-denominated investments have lost their lustre in light of current market conditions, and investors are instead looking to high-yield alternatives and FCY-denominated investments.
“In 2022, segregated portfolios accounted for more than half of total managed assets (52 per cent), which amounted to N1.76 trillion as of December 31, 2022, – 40.2 per cent higher than in 2021 – marking a noteworthy shift in the Industry as segregated portfolios overtook collective investment schemes (CISs) in terms of AuM share for the first time in three years.”
Segregated portfolios include privately managed discretionary and non-discretionary client funds, as well as other private collective investment schemes, which provide investment options that are tailored to the unique risk profiles and investment objectives of individual clients. Unlike collective investment schemes, segregated portfolios provide more flexibility and autonomy as they are not directly subject to the scrutiny and monitoring of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Agusto estimated that CISs accounted for 42 per cent (N1.37 trillion) of AuM in 2022, while alternative assets – comprising publicly-listed private equity and infrastructure funds – accounted for the remaining 6 per cent (N345 billion) of the asset management industry’s managed assets as at the same date.
“Investors have shown a growing inclination towards privately managed portfolios rather than the often more restrictive and conservative collective investment schemes, as they seek to gain relatively higher yields from investments.
“In addition, many asset managers have focused more on fostering the growth of segregated portfolios through their investment advisory services while also improving product distribution and enhancing customer experience.
“Furthermore, segregated portfolios have continued to account for a large portion of the Industry’s AuM due to the large volume of funds invested by high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and corporations seeking exposure to specific investment vehicles (in many cases regional Eurobond issuances).”
These specific investment options typically offer relatively higher returns and provide a currency hedge, which may not be widely accessible with collective investment schemes,” it noted.
Giving an outlook, Agusto & Co. anticipates a moderate increase in the size of the asset management industry, with an estimated average growth rate of 15.9 per cent over the next three years.
This will result in total AuM reaching the N4 trillion mark by 2024, it said.
“Growth is expected to be driven by various factors, including increased investments from pension fund administrators and institutional clients.
“The unification of exchange rates is anticipated to result in the repatriation of funds formerly invested in international money markets and reignite foreign interest in naira-denominated assets.
“Furthermore, the anticipated growth trajectory is likely to be fuelled by an increase in the size of segregated portfolios, infrastructure funds and REITs, amongst others.
“The prolonged deterioration of macroeconomic fundamentals, which might severely reduce discretionary income and the marginal inclination to save, remains a risk to the growth forecast.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, says Nigeria’s crude oil production has risen to 1.8 million barrels a day, contrasting with available production data.
Speaking in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group spring meetings in Washington D.C., the Minister said the current oil output would generate fiscal breathing space that will allow the government to support vulnerable households as it ploughs ahead with reforms.
Nigeria, which is a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is Africa’s largest oil producer.
Mr Edun said rising crude production was positive for Nigeria’s revenue, foreign exchange and the country’s fiscal situation.
“It gives us that extra fiscal space within which to look at … helping the vulnerable households at this time,” he told the publication, noting that support would be targeted, adding “there is no thought of any return or retardation to broad untargeted subsidies.”
Mr Edun also said the Bola Tinubu-led administration was also committed to continuing its reform programme.
“Nigeria is in a position where the resilience that has been built in the economy is actually very obvious for all to see,” he said.
Despite the 1.8 million barrels per day figure claim, Business Post reports that production data for March 2026 from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) shows that Nigeria attained 1.546 million barrels per day, made up of 1.382 million barrels per day of crude, 42,809 barrels per day of blended condensate and 120,442 barrels per day of unblended condensate.
The average crude production represents 92 per cent of the OPEC quota, which is fixed at 1.5 million barrels per day.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria (SEC) has unveiled a new regulatory framework that would allow companies operating within free trade zones to raise capital from the Nigerian public, subject to strict eligibility and disclosure requirements.
The proposal, titled New Rules for Public Offering of Securities by a Free Trade Zone Entity, is anchored on provisions of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 and is designed to integrate free trade zone enterprises into the domestic capital market while strengthening investor protection.
Under the proposed rules, only entities duly licensed by recognised free zone authorities, such as the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, will be eligible to issue shares to the public.
The commission clarified that the rules will apply strictly to free trade zone entities (FTZEs), excluding companies operating outside designated zones, even if licensed by zone authorities. It also emphasised that no FTZE will be permitted to offer securities to the public without prior approval from the Commission.
To qualify, an FTZE must demonstrate a minimum of three years’ operating track record immediately preceding its application, with at least two years of independent business activity within a free trade zone. Additionally, such entities are required to have competent senior management and a minimum paid-up share capital of not less than N7.5 billion.
The SEC said FTZEs seeking to access the capital market must subject themselves to Nigeria’s tax laws and comply fully with ongoing disclosure and reporting obligations applicable to publicly listed companies.
The proposed framework also outlines extensive registration requirements. Issuers will be required to submit evidence of licensing by a free zone authority, constitutional documents, and verified details of shareholding structure and board composition.
A “No Objection” letter from the relevant free zone authority will also be mandatory, alongside a commitment to list the offered shares on a registered securities exchange.
The SEC noted that the rules are intended to provide clarity on eligibility criteria and operational conditions for FTZEs seeking to conduct public offerings, thereby deepening the capital market and aligning free zone operations with national financial system standards.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Shareholders of Guinness Nigeria Plc will share about N4.38 billion as an interim dividend for the first quarter of 2026, the board has disclosed.
This cash reward amounts to N2.00 per share, as the company has shares outstanding of 2,190,382,819 on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The brewer stated that the interim dividend would be paid to investors whose names appear on the register of members as of the close of business on April 20, 2026.
The dividend payout is being proposed following the sustained profitability reflected in the unaudited financial results of the company in the first three months of this year and its “strong performance in FY 2025.”
It would be “paid from distributable profits in accordance with Sections 426–428 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.”
Analysis of the performance of the brewery giant between January and March 2026 showed that revenue grew by 4 per cent on a year-on-year basis to N122.77 billion from N118.34 billion in the same period of last year, while the gross profit contracted to N43.48 billion from N44.52 billion due to prevailing cost pressures within the operating environment.
The company’s operating profit also shrank to N17.18 billion from N18.00 billion in the first quarter of 2025 due to elevated marketing & distribution costs and administrative expenses.
However, the reduction in net finance costs to N1.43 billion from N7.72 billion in Q1 of 2025 helped the organisation to grow its post-tax profit to N10.39 billion in the period under review versus the N7.03 billion recorded in the corresponding period of last year.
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