General
Nigerian Consumers Highly Price Conscious—Study
‘Money’s too tight to mention’ for Nigerian shoppers who are highly price conscious and are taking several measures to mitigate rising food prices including cutting down on luxury items and buying in bulk to benefit from lower prices. These are just some of the findings from Nielsen’s latest 2019 Nigeria Shopper Trends Report.
Nielsen Consumer Insights Lead for West Africa Abiodun Olawale-Cole says; “Nigerian shoppers have become more cautious with their spend, they are pre-planning their category choices prior to shopping visits and once in store; mostly buying essentials and switching to cheaper brands.
“Factors impacting these choices include the fact that they’re increasingly shopping with a limited budget and are keen on low prices. In addition, a high number of shoppers notice price changes and most think prices are on the rise.”
Despite their concerns around price, Nigerian shoppers are experimental when it comes to trying new stores and will visit a new outlet in the area. Though motivated for initial visits, this is not seeing shoppers move past the trial stage of the shopping journey and is not converting them to loyalists.
Olawale-Cole suggests; “Retailers and manufacturers must consider the current shopper mindset when it comes to product pricing and strive to meet the needs and wants of a price conscious and deal-seeking shopper to improve loyalty and secure higher spend.”
Modern trade gains ground
Looking at the evolving roles of Modern Trade (MT) e.g. branded supermarkets and stores versus Traditional Trade (TT) e.g. non-branded stores, table-tops and kiosks within the Nigerian retail space, Olawale-Cole says that MT is starting to gain a foothold with a total value share of around 5% of FMCG sales.
“More than 90% of FMCG sales within Nigeria still take place within TT outlets in terms of value and volume and we don’t see that changing much in the next 12-months, however, we do expect significant growth in MT within the next five years.”
“Where we are seeing a lot of growth is in the number of physical MT stores with a number of local branded supermarkets opening e.g. Adide, as well as international chains such as Shoprite and Spar having bolstered the market. The percentage of spend has also almost doubled in Supermarkets compared to 2 years back (17% in 2017 to 33% in 2019), signalling more acceptance of modern trade in the country.”
The Nielsen Shopper Trends study found that Nigerian shoppers mainly use TT for their top up shops, so frequency of visits to these types of stores is understandably higher. Their main reason for visiting MT stores is for bulk shopping with spend normally much higher for this type of trip and visits to supermarkets averaging four times a month, while visits to convenience stores average nine times a month.
Convenience is key
Olawale-Cole elaborates; “Nigerians are starting to shop at Modern Trade outlets more; with one of the key drivers of this behaviour being the convenience of a one stop shop. This is evidenced by the fact that Convenience Stores have the highest monthly footfall within the MT category, with average shopper visits more than double that of Supermarkets.
It’s important to note that Traditional Trade (TT) also offers convenience in the form of close proximity to home and office and still provides better pricing on certain items but Olawale-Cole says; “In line with consumers’ need to simplify their lives, we foresee urban MT retail outlets e.g. supermarkets, growing their share of trade in Nigeria, as consumers become more willing to pay for the convenience and time saving benefits of one stop shop solutions.” Evidence of this is that larger independent MT stores are already gaining ground in Nigeria’s urban areas, with formats offering a combination of large and small stores.
Overall, the growing demand for convenience presents manufacturers and retailers with countless opportunities.
Olawale-Cole comments; “Today, convenience transcends products, services and store channels. Packaging innovation, route to market, storage, portability and ordering, as well as device, payment and application technologies all need to be key considerations in providing an overall convenience experience that appeals to the discerning Nigerian shopper.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.
The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.
The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.
The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.
This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.
Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.
Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.
The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.
The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.
The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.
The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.
The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.
According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.
Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.
He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.
The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.
The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.
By Adedapo Adesanya
“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities.”
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